Santa Clara is scrapping plans to temporarily reopen its swim center this spring, and instead is pushing forward with a broader renovation.
The Santa Clara City Council has unanimously approved an additional $8.1 million to repair all three pools at the George F. Haines International Swim Center, along with the dive tower, boiler and other necessities. City officials said the renovation could take up to two years and last 25-30 years.
The swim center has been closed since January 2024 due to a litany of safety issues. The city initially set aside about $2 million to temporarily reopen two pools with a limited 200-person capacity. But the contractor found more damage than expected when draining the pools in January.
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Damon Sparacino said the city reassessed temporary repair plans and decided to propose a larger renovation. He said the $8.1 million investment would likely be reimbursed by the Measure I infrastructure bond passed by voters last year.
“Now we’re at a point where we know we have Measure I approved (and) we’ve done some deconstruction, so we’re essentially recommending to merge that temporary reopening with the long term vision,” City Manager Jovan Grogan said. “It is saying we intend to set about a course to rebuild the existing three bodies of water at the (swim center).”
Expanded renovations include replacing the pool deck and gutters for all three pools, as well as either replacing or refurbishing the dive tower. The pools also need to be adjusted to Santa Clara County regulations, such as having a boiler for each pool, along with competition standards, which require the racing pool to be about 3 meters deeper.
Some costs are yet to be determined, such as the price of making the racing pool deeper, but the city anticipates renovations to cost approximately $10 million total. That includes about $1.75 million in contingency funds, in case other necessary repairs are discovered.
Amanda Pease, president of the Santa Clara Swim Club, said the renovations will ensure the three aquatics groups that comprise the Santa Clara Aquatics Foundation will be able to use the swim center for another few decades.
Pease said the 500-person swim club hasn’t been able to grow much with the swim center closed. While delaying the reopening will put strain on the club’s tight budget, Pease said knowing the swim center will reopen in the near future gives them more confidence.
“We’ve never advocated for the latest and greatest and best, we’ve always advocated for rebuilding the (swim center) and right now, it’s going to come in at a fourth of what was initially projected,” Pease told San José Spotlight. “It’s going to end up costing less, it’s going to get everybody back in the water sooner and it’s going to continue to be a great facility because the truth is that swim center has great bones.”
Councilmembers worried about using Measure I funds before establishing the bond’s oversight committee. City Attorney Glenn Googins said the city already passed policy allowing the city to be reimbursed with Measure I funds for qualifying projects, and the oversight committee will be able to weigh in on the project in the future. Googins reassured councilmembers by pointing out renovating the swim center is one of Measure I’s campaign promises.
“One of the lovely things about (the larger renovation) is that everybody’s needs are met,” Councilmember Kelly Cox said. “We’re all served in a greater capacity.”
Contact B. Sakura Cannestra at [email protected] or @SakuCannestra on X.
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