NEWS
Recap from NTC Aquatic Center Workshop #1. City Survey Due Oct 4th.
IMPORTANT! Please Read Below
Survey Link: https://engage.counsilmanhunsaker.com/ntc-park-aquatic-center
Hello Friend and Neighbor -
You may have heard that the City of San Diego is considering building an aquatic center at Liberty Station. They are calling this project the NTC Aquatic Center. This project has been under consideration for close to 21 years! I have been involved in a volunteer community group, San Diego Aquatic Center Council (SDACC), trying to work with the City for the past eight years (!) to try to get this project moving forward.
We reached a major milestone this past Thursday with the aquatic center project, when the City of San Diego conducted their first community workshop to kickoff the project and encourage discussion. The City also used this workshop to present two design concepts they are proposing and get community feedback. At first glance, these concepts look fantastic, as they would appear to serve Point Loma and Ocean Communities very nicely. What we have learned these past eight years though, is that the need for usable aquatic facilities goes far beyond our local neighborhoods. There is a huge demand from our neighboring communities, as well as throughout San Diego, to have access to a facility such as the NTC Aquatic Center. Unfortunately, the proposed design concepts were designed without considering this larger need and thus, are grossly inadequate for the entire region surrounding Liberty Station. These concepts would merely serve the small local community and would be quickly overrun with demand...frustrating everyone that we didn't do a better job of planning and building for more water in the first place. We must view this facility as a regional facility and build it accordingly.
The City has prepared an online survey (link below) for the community to use to respond to their design concepts and the project as whole. Please take a moment to fill this survey out to share your views. The survey is very limited, as it makes it seem that you only have two concepts from which to choose, and no choice to suggest something more or better (the design concepts are shown on the survey). They do provide additional free space in which to comment as to other needs and wishes. It is in this area that we are requesting your help and consider asking the City to expand the scope of the project. Please consider filling out the survey and, if you agree that it is important, please include the following bullet points into the open comment sections.
Survey Link: https://engage.counsilmanhunsaker.com/ntc-park-aquatic-center
EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT - We are asking the City to expand the footprint by adding an additional 50 meter competition pool. We are also asking the City to replace the proposed children’s splash pad with a pool designed for children’s instructional swimming, as well as senior aquatics programming.
When we look at the concepts proposed by the City, it would appear that this aquatic center is what we dreamed of for the Point Loma and Ocean Beach communities. It would serve our communities very nicely. But when we look at the region as a whole, to our neighboring communities who don’t have access to a facility such as this, we must realize that this facility must be able to serve them as well. This region includes Downtown San Diego, Midway-Pacific Highway, the Mission Valley corridor, Mission Hills, Clairemont, and Mission Beach. From that perspective, as well as looking at the various aquatic programming necessary - recreational, instructional, well-being, senior, and competition (swim, water polo, and diving), the proposed concepts are grossly inadequate. This region needs more water and this facility must be inclusive for those underserved communities in San Diego.
Removal of Existing Building - We are asking the City to remove the existing abandoned building (619) from the plan and consider building a new building that allows for greater design size and flexibility.
The City’s proposed concepts show that the existing building on the site is to be maintained and restored. This building greatly reduces the available area for the aquatic center. Looking at the cost projections in the feasibility report, it also represents close to two-thirds of the cost of the project. The building is supposedly condemned, has evidence of illicit drug use, and is a safety hazard. Removing it from the plan and replacing it with a new concept would allow the design to be more flexible and dynamic. Note: The building is not considered an historic building as it was built in the 1990’s, so there are no restrictions to its removal.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We have a fairly short time to respond to the survey, as they will close it on October 4, 2024. The survey takes 5 minutes to complete, so please take a moment to fill it out now.
I am happy to answer any questions you might have, so please don't hesitate to contact me. Also, please forward this email to your network, so that the community can be heard. This is a very exciting opportunity for this aquatic center to be an iconic public facility that reflects the deep aquatic history and orientation of San Diego. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Stephen Rodi
The City of San Diego invites you to attend the 1st Workshop for NTC Aquatic Center
Thursday, September 12th, 5:30pm at Point Loma/Hervey Library (3701 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA 92107).
May Drowning Prevention Month at City Heights Swim Center.
Mayor Todd Gloria declared May Drowning Prevention Month today at an event at City Heights Swim Center. Prevent Drowning Foundation hosted the event, with SD City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, Fire Chief Colin Stowell, Lifeguard Chief James Gartland, SD Parks & Rec Director Andy Fields, and SD Park & Rec Deputy Director of Aquatics, Nicole McNeil all making remarks heralding the importance of water safety, water access, and water training for all ages and neighborhoods for the people of SD. SDACC reps Stephen Rodi, Byron Wear, Kate Lubsen and Kay Ticho Faryan were all in attendance and engaged with the elected officials and professional staff of the City of SD soliciting support for the SD Aquatic Center at Liberty Station and committing to work together in partnership to move this project forward, including raising necessary funds for the Construction, Operation and Maintenance. SDACC’s Goal is to support the City in building a world-class destination Aquatic Center for swimming, water polo, and dive competitions, learn-to-swim programming, water training and safety for all SD communities supporting Diversity and Inclusion, as well as therapeutic treatments. Follow-up meetings have been scheduled with City Officials, so please stay tuned for opportunities for community engagement.
Community Update May 2020
Dear Peninsula Community -
Hello from the Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council. First, we hope that this update finds each of you safe and healthy as we survive the COVID-19 pandemic together. Obviously, this is an unprecedented experience for most of us in the collective Peninsula Communities. It is most gratifying to observe families spending time together while practicing social distancing outside, as well as observing the community helping one another to survive this ordeal together. Surely this is a silver lining in the face of this massive crisis.
Before we continue with this update, we would like to point out that we are extremely aware and sensitive to the fact that there are many more important challenges and needs on which we should be focusing during this crisis. We are merely providing you with an update and letting you know how you can possibly help. We will make it through this situation…we will. Therefore, as a volunteer committee committed to helping our community progress, we want to do what we can now, so we don't waste precious time.
Through all of this chaos, the Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council continues to do what we can to continue to push the Liberty Station/NTC Pool project forward in order to finally make good on the commitment to build a world class aquatic center for the Peninsula Communities. Following is a brief update of the status of the project prior to COVID-19, as well as a call to action for each of you to help continue to push this initiative to completion.
Update
Aquatic Complex Plan - As of right now, the plan (see conceptual artwork on our website) is for a multi-pool concept. There would be an Olympic size competition pool with diving, a community therapy pool (possibly 40 meters), and a shallow "splash" pool for kids, lessons, etc.
City of San Diego - Many of you may not know but the City of San Diego has committed to the Liberty Station Aquatic Complex as an actual development project. This means that:
Mayor Faulconer is committed to this project and has assigned a member of his staff (Conrad Wear) to lead the initiative from his office.
The City has allocated close to $2 million dollars toward the development of the project.
The San Diego Park & Recreation Department has committed to manage the project and is ready to take the first steps toward design.
The City has agreed that the facility will be managed by San Diego Park & Rec and will fall under their budget. This is HUGE because this was the major stumbling block back when the project was initially launched over 15 years ago.
If you did not know, the site for the pool is located at the end of Womble Road in Liberty Station. It is the entire grass area next to the abandoned building (#619). This building will also be developed as a part of the final project as a new rec center.
San Diego Unified School District Involvement - SDUSD has been very proactive and would like to become involved with the funding and construction of the Aquatic Complex. Due to the Federal Lands to Parks property transfer and deed restrictions, the SDUSD financial contribution cannot carry a property interest requirement with it. Therefore, we are working with the City, SDUSD, and the NPS to determine if we can find a viable working agreement for all parties.
National Park Service Land - The City's land use agreement with the NPS supports use for recreational and park purposes for the greater community. Use by local schools for educational purposes can be accomplished provided school use is a subset of the overall public and recreational use plan.
Congressman Scott Peters - Congressman Peters is extremely supportive of helping build a new Aquatic Complex. He is committed to do what he can do in order to help push the project forward. Since this is a City project, though, his powers are limited to assisting with the National Park Services when appropriate.
Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council - We are a group of community members volunteering to do everything possible to see this project through to completion. We are attempting to make sure that the project does not die again, as it did so many years ago. This has been a long process as we formed this council nearly three years ago (not near as long as groups of our predecessors but still a long time). We remain just as committed today as we were then, so you have our assurance that we won't let this die.
Recent Activity
We were making very positive progress prior to the COVID-19 shut down. Here is a brief list of our recent actions:
February 3 - Met with Andy Fields, SD Park & Rec Director. Discussed status and next steps, as well as initial design concepts.
February 4 - Met with David Marsh, US Olympic Swim Coach and former UCSD Head Swimming Coach. Discussed the need for the aquatic center for both the Peninsula Communities, as well as the San Diego swimming community. He would like to help anyway he can.
February 20 - Met with Conrad Wear in the Mayor's office. We agreed to a basic framework for next steps to move forward. We were hoping to make an official announcement by the end of June.
April 15 - Spoke with Congressman Peter's office to determine how they can best help us at this point.
Funding
Had the aquatic center been built 18 years ago, as planned, it likely would have cost around $10 million to build. Now, with the increase in costs for design, permitting, and construction, this number will now be between $20-$25 million. Below are the current areas from which we plan to pursue funding:
As stated before, the City of San Diego has already allocated approximately $2 million dollars to the project.
The City has indicated there may be funding available from other re-development projects.
State Grants - We were just beginning to investigate this option prior to COVID-19, so this avenue may no longer exist for us.
School Bond Funding - SDUSD has agreed to a significant investment in the project if we are able to successfully include them in the land use agreement.
Private donations - At this point, we will depend on private funding for the majority of the costs of this project. We will be relying on the community, as we shift into our capital raising campaign.
What's Needed and Next Steps
Here are some key steps that need to happen. We know that these steps may be stalled due to the City's focus on COVID-19.
The City and SDUSD need to finalize language on the Land Use Agreement to make it viable for both parties.
The inclusion of SDUSD in this project may need help from our State Government, in order to decouple state funding from a property interest requirement.
Conceptual designs need to be created in order to help market the project externally to the community and potential donors.
Meeting of all parties involved to finalize and announce the commencement of the project.
How You Can Help
Since the beginnings of this vision of a Liberty Station Aquatic Center, it has always been pushed down the priority list in the City. Therefore, we are starting our community outreach and social media campaign to show our local government that this is an important project for our community and our city. It is only through our loud voices that we will be heard. So, this is how you can help us:
Sign up on the PACC website - We are collecting names and email addresses to demonstrate the size of our effort, as well as give us a means to efficiently communicate updates to you.
Write Mayor, Congressman, City Councilmember - Please write Mayor Faulconer, Congressman Scott Peters, and Councilmember Jennifer Campbell to show your support of this project and give them a call to action. Their information is as follows:
Mayor Kevin Faulconer: kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov
Councilmember Jennifer Campbell: jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov
Congressman Scott Peters: Scott.Peters@mail.house.gov
Congressman Peters Office: Maryanne.pintar@mail.house.gov
Cesar.Solis@mail.house.gov
Like and follow and share our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/poolsonthepoint/
Talk to your local planning boards and let them know you support this project.
SPREAD THE WORD! Please send this update, the PACC website, and our Facebook page to any and all of your friends. We need to create an avalanche of community support to push this through. Even though we are coping with COVID-19, the time for progress is NOW.
Please stay healthy and safe.
Thank you.
Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council
Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council (PACC) Status Update & Background
Goal: To fulfill the vision of the NTC Adopted Plan by creating a three-swimming pool Aquatic Complex and adjacent aquatic recreational opportunities for the general public within the 46 acre waterfront park.
Background
The Liberty Station Aquatic Complex was envisioned in 1998 as an integral component of the land use and environmental review of the NTC Precise Plan. The origination of the community effort was led by long time resident Julie Cramer, an early advocate of swimming pools for the Peninsula region late in the planning for reuse of NTC.
As part of the process, the City of San Diego engaged the consulting services of Counsilman Hunsaker Architects from St Louis who had designed the 1996 Olympic Aquatic Complex in Atlanta. A comprehensive feasibility study was conducted reviewing site design and operations.
The NTC Precise Plan was adopted by the San Diego City Council and California Coastal Commission allowing for the future Aquatic Complex to be contained on approximately 3.8 acres of the 46 acre NTC waterfront park at the Foot of Womble Road. In addition, parking lots were constructed in advance at the foot of Womble Road and on the east side of Cushing Road. The ultimate vision includes multiple community pools including: a 50-meter x 25 yard multi-use competition pool, a 35-40 meter x 25 yard warm water pool, and a pool with interactive water features for children.
Funding was to come from future redevelopment tax increments set aside of the former base in a phased approach. Due to the loss of California State redevelopment funding with tax increment under Former Governor Jerry Brown, the project stalled. In 2011, discussions occurred with then Mayor Jerry Sanders and Councilman Kevin Faulconer on the possibility of the YMCA constructing and operating the pool. An RFP (Request for Proposals) was issued in mid 2014 for the pool and Building 619. The YMCA was the only respondent.
Unfortunately, the Department of Interior indicated that the City could not engage in a lease or concession beyond 10 years. That time could be extended to 30 or more years with only a government agency. As a result, in 2015, the YMCA could not move forward.
Informal discussions began with the San Diego Unified School District under the concept of “Pools for Schools” joint use with School Bond funding.
Community Advocates
In 2017, the Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council (PACC) was created by PLHS parents, alumni, community members, swimmers, kayakers and civic leaders to advocate again on behalf of the project. Numerous meetings have been held with the Office of the Mayor, San Diego Unified School District staff, School Board Members Scott Barnett and Michael McQuary, Congressman Scott Peters, and community leaders to attempt to work through these issues and develop public policy solutions to gain an approval to proceed with the Peninsula Aquatic Complex vision.
The community was able to obtain an initial $2.1 Million by the City of San Diego (Midway DIF) towards the project with assistance of then Councilmember Lorie Zapf. In addition, informal commitments were made by the School District to fund pool construction and locker facilities through the use of Facilities Bond Program: Proposition Z funds (“Bond Z”, as it is better known). Bond Z funds are to be used “to repair, renovate, and revitalize district schools”. Athletic facilities qualify for Bond Z funding. Additionally, the City of San Diego has agreed to operate the complex as a Park and Recreation facility in conjunction with the restoration of Building 619 as a Recreation Center, containing 19,000 sq feet.
Recreation vs. Education
Due to the NTC base transfer of federal land for park and recreational purposes, the Dept. of Interior expressed concern about an educational (school) use on land originally designated for park and recreation uses, unless the park and recreation use was the predominate use over education.
Concern was expressed that SDUSD bond funds need to have a predominate education vs. recreation use, as well the school district requiring a property interest in the facility. Possible remedies for this are either:
(a) Further clarification from the Department of Interior on the concept of joint use meeting both education and recreation uses, OR
(b) Congressional Legislation amending the original NTC conveyance to the City of the site allowing for BOTH Educational and Recreation.
Next Steps
The City of San Diego including the Mayor’s Office, Office of the City Attorney and Park and Recreation Department are continuing discussions with the San Diego Unified School District and SDUSD Counsel to resolve these issues with approval at the federal level.
The community and PACC have met and will continue to meet with potential donors to fund a portion of the project costs and to research grant funding. Additionally, meetings have been held with potential strategic partners and aquatic professionals to fine tune the vision.
The final scope of this project will obviously determine what the final cost will be. Rough estimations for a multiple pool facility will likely be somewhere between $10-$15 million. Current options for funding a three-pool complex include San Diego Unified Bond Funds, City of San Diego DIF Fees and General Funds, Grants and Private Donors. The Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council will continue to pursue all options and keep the public informed.
(This status report was presented by PACC board members Byron Wear and Steve Rodi on January 8, 2020 to the Park and Recreation Committee, Peninsula Community Planning Board.)
Department of Interior Response
The Department of Interior recently responded to the School District and City of San Diego's preliminary letter seeking approval for use of the NTC space to construct an aquatic complex. See below for the letter with notations and comments from John Seymour.
Plan to Build Pools Moves Forward
Over the last several months, members of PACC have been meeting with representatives from the San Diego Unified School District ("SDUSD") and Byron Wear, a former city council member who is cheerleading the effort to get pools built in Liberty Station. Just a few weeks ago, the City of San Diego and SDUSD sent a joint letter to the federal government expressing the intention to build an aquatic facility at Liberty Station. John Seymour, who is heading up PACC, and Wear were interviewed by the Beacon for an article on the progress (full article here).
“The City of San Diego has sent a letter to the Department of the Interior (National Park Service) requesting approval of a joint City and San Diego Unified School District proposal,” Wear said. “The project has identified joint funding for phase one, including $2.1 million from the city, and $5 million from SDUSD.”
“The City has agreed to operate the facility at no annual cost in exchange for the SDUSD capital investment creating a win-win for students and recreational swimmers,” said Wear, a former lifeguard. “The facility will be home for Point Loma High swimming and water polo, and could accommodate others as additional pools are built.”
“We envision three pools over time in phases,” said Seymour noting, “We have all levels of government — Zapf, Peters and SDUSD — behind this, and there’s no reason why the project should not be moved forward on this site.”
Added Seymour of the aquatics complex, “The city would operate it. The school district would put in money to build it. We, the community, will go out to it. It’s a great opportunity.”
PACC is hopeful the project can get going soon.
Letter to PLHS Boosters
November, 2017
Dear Aquatic Booster Parents, Friends and Supporters,
For many years the Point Loma High School has been looking for an adequate pool for competitive swimming and water polo. In February of this year, I helped form the Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council (PACC), a local coalition of our aquatic partners to pursue the completion of a pool in the Peninsula area as quickly as possible using resources from the San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego. The PACC will be expanded to include more stakeholders in 2018.
The Congressman Peters, School District staff and the City of San Diego staff and attorneys, with our full support, have focused on the NTC/Liberty Station site near the foot of Womble Road. The site is already part of the NTC Precise Plan and Local Coastal Plan approved by the City Council and other agencies in September 2001. Work has already been completed, including:
· Professional studies conducted by Counsilman Hunsaker, (http://www.counsilmanhunsaker.com/a nationally known aquatic facility planning group that designed the 1996 Olympic Atlanta Aquatic Facility).
· Master Environmental approvals including certification by the California Coastal Commission.
· Parking has already been constructed in anticipation of the future aquatic complex.
· Drafting of a letter to go to the Department of Interior for approval of the project.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Councilmember Lorie Zapf, School Trustee Dr. Michael McQuary, Congressman Scott Peters and state officials have all agreed to push for approval of the vision.
The concept includes the funding by the San Diego School District for at least one initial Phase I pool with adequate changing rooms and support facilities. The City of San Diego has agreed to consider funding the operation of the facility at no cost to the district in exchange for public recreational access. Additionally, the City of San Diego has identified $1.1 Million for the rehab of the adjacent Building 619 for recreational and community use and an additional $1 million to assist in the pool construction. We envision additional pools in Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Recently, School District officials met with PACC and provided a briefing on the framework of Project Management process and timeline, including the following milestones:
· Obtain letter from Department of Interior (expected in 6 months)
· Breaking ground (possible within 24 months)
· Completion of Phase 1 Pool (possible in 3.5 years)
Please be patient as the PACC is working with government on many levels. We are excited about this collaboration. Please feel free to contact us to join in supporting our efforts, or visit our website, PeninsulaPools.org for more information
Sincerely,
John Seymour, Chair
Peninsula Aquatic Complex Council
PeninsulaPools.org