Cady Way complex is a step closer to receiving a new competition-sized pool and other amenities. Details of an expansion project by Blue Dolfins swim club met with city approval after public concerns were addressed and a scope of work was completed.
The plan received preliminary approval in June and city staff spent the summer working with the club on a contract that was given the green light by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and City Commission. Blue Dolfins’ coach Joe Auer previously told the32789 that the additions were necessary to accommodate increased demand. “The expansion will allow more people to come out and swim with us and offer more opportunities for lessons and space for competitions,” he said.
The scope of work includes a 25- by 50-meter competition pool with 4,000 square feet of surrounding deck space, a pool heating system, locker room and restroom updates to ADA standards, deck furnishings, and lifeguard towers. The expansion will also fulfill a frequent resident request by installing three lighted sand volleyball courts.
According to the contract, the construction cost is estimated at $2.84 million and includes a projected cost of $2,584,000 plus a 10% contingency of $258,400 to account for unforeseen expenses. The city will pay a total of $75,000 that includes site preparation and utilities installations, the installation of a 6-foot chain link fence, and pole-and-net systems for the volleyball courts. Blue Dolfins will be responsible for all other construction, operational, and maintenance costs for the new pool and amenities. The agreement also addresses the following community concerns brought before the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board:
- Parking: Blue Dolfins events do not generate a great deal of vehicle traffic as most parents drop off swimmers and return for pick-ups after practice. Adult coed sports leagues using the Cady Way fields have been cut back over the last three years as focus has shifted to resident youth leagues, resulting in reduced parking needs. Parking issues for large swimming events are avoided by coordinating swim meets with other park events.
- Noise: Swimming activities and events are relatively quiet compared to other sports using the adjacent stadium and fields and user guidelines go beyond the noise ordinance to be sensitive to neighboring residents. Amplified noise is not permitted until 9 a.m. for the entire complex and staff limits the size and type of amplification to minimize noise impacts.
The installation of the new pool and volleyball courts also would require minimal reductions to the nearby practice fields which are not expected to impact use. One damaged oak will need to be removed along with pruning and root trimming on nearby trees. Additional plantings and landscaping would also be part of construction.
The enhanced community recreation space would also generate revenue through summer camps, state and regional swim meets, and the rental of the sand volleyball courts. The city and the swim club would each keep the revenue from their respective event rentals and share revenue stemming from annual swim meets.
No construction timetable is currently available, but Auer estimates the project could be finished within 14 months of the start date.
