CARLSBAD — Starting in November, the Alga Norte Aquatic Center will be closed for three months to renovate its restrooms, locker rooms and pool surfaces.
On July 23, the City Council gave the city clerk a thumbs-up for advertising construction bids for two different renovation projects at the aquatic center: one that will renovate the restrooms and locker rooms and the other that will replaster the pool’s aging surface.
Renovation of both the men’s and women’s locker rooms plus the family restrooms will consist of removing and replacing floor and wall tiles, repairing compromised framing in some walls, installing new waterproofing membranes, new floor drains, additional ADA improvements and rebuilding the showers.
The restroom and locker room renovation project will cost approximately $1.125 million with funds the city received through a legal settlement with the aquatic center’s original contractor, who previously rejected requests for related repairs under the pool’s five-year warranty.
The city will have approximately $651,000 left over from the settlement funds for future repairs.
The city will simultaneously replaster the pools, which is anticipated to cost approximately $2.64 million and will be paid using funds from the city’s capital improvement program budget. According to staff, commercial pool plaster typically lasts between 10 and 15 years before needing to be replaced.
In 2013, the Alga Norte Aquatic Center opened as Carlsbad’s second swim center. The 11-year-old pools have recently experienced increased cracking, spalling, and other wear, and sections have had to be closed to make repairs.
“Elements of the pool systems are reaching the end of their useful life, and staff are recommending refurbishing the pools at this time,” said Public Works Manager John Maashoff.
The general scope of the replastering project consists of removing and replacing tiles — including those with depth markers, “no diving” and “bench below” warnings and swimming lane markers — along with lighting fixtures and drain grates. The work also includes inspecting and repairing cracks in the reinforced concrete substructure and completing a replaster of the aquatic center’s pools.
The aquatic center has a 56-meter competition pool, a 25-meter instructional pool and a 250-square-foot hydrotherapy spa.
The council unanimously approved both projects.
“We’re ready for this,” said Councilmember Teresa Acosta. “The plans are well thought out.”
Work on both projects is expected to begin mid-November through mid-February, during which the aquatic center will be closed for three months. The city intends to send out social media messages, email blasts and city newsletter updates to inform everyone who frequents the pool about the upcoming closure.
Staff intends to move as much programming to the smaller Monroe Street Pool as possible; however, not every program can be accommodated due to size constraints.
Staff also intends to bring back plans to renovate the Monroe Street Pool for the City Council’s consideration in September. If approved, construction won’t begin until after Alga Norte is complete.
