Renovation 2025- Current Updates
The Soledad Pool has undergone a very much needed rehabilitation project, we were closed from September 2025-March 2026. There are two pieces we are still trying to complete in order to wrap up this deferred maintenance project. This project was an investment in updating our current pool systems, replacing our aging and failing pool finish, and hopefully saving some resources through newer equipment.
During the re-filling and reopening process our wading pool sprung a leak! About 12 feet below the pool deck it was impossible to repair, and the original 1974 piping and plumbing required replacement, along with the County of Monterey had requirements to bring our little pool up to code. The project is currently at the City of Soledad for permit and plan review and we have requested a fee waiver due to the benefit of the public at large that our facility, pool and the little pool serve, also due to the financial impacts of our very limited remaining budget.
We also identified the need for a windblock and shade structure on our patio, which would allow our facility to host events, outdoor classes, meetings, private rentals and groups, and be a little more user friendly. This is also still at the City of Soledad for permit review. The City is currently requiring us to provide engineered and architectural drawings for this shade structure which will increase the price of the project possilby beyond the level of available funding. We are requesting a permit fee waiver as it presents a financial hardship for the project and the project is of benefit for the community at large.
The whole Renovation project is currently at $1.6 Million dollars with about $360,000 of (Wading pool and Patio) awaiting permits and approval. The District has some remaining funding available to help with this last pieces but we are open to gifts and donations to finish out these projects and meet the additional requirements the City of Soledad is requiring to approve the work.
Funding for this project is provided by :
State of California Proposition 68 Per Capita Grant Program ($177,000),
a Specific grant from Senator Anna Caballero ($400,000),
private donation from the Nieto Family ($75,000),
A Grant from the Rurual County Representatives ($16,000).
Various Donations since 2021 ($23,000)
and Special District financing to be paid back over 15 years for $1.28 Million Dollars, which will impact the annual budget as debit payments of $111,000.
The Project Elements Completed include:
- Refinishing the fiberglass finish of the Large Pool
- Retiling of the large pool
- A new Heater System
- A new filtration system
- New Overhead and in-Pool Lights
- New ADA lift
- New Chemical controller
- New UV disinfection System
- New Mechanical Room Plumbing
- New benches in women's locker room
- Patio Improvements- Remove hazardous planter bed and level concrete
- Additional Storage and Organizational furniture to care for District equipment and supplies.
- Bike Racks to accommodate increased bike and scooter usage, and encourage alternative travel
- Replacement Hand Rails at stairs and deepend.
Project Elements staff is still working to achieve:
- Reopen Wading pool with its own heating and filtration system
- Patio Pavilion and Windblock- Outdoor Classroom & Multipurpose space.
This project does not address the lobby or locker rooms due to constraints of budget. The District does have concept drawings for a solution for the Lobby and Lockerrooms expansion and update, but this is estimated to cost $20 Million dollars as of 2022.
There are also concept drawings to expand the pool to include a Lessons /Therapy/ Water Exercise Pool that would be both a warmer and shallower pool. For the addition and the restroom renovation, the cost was $25 Million in 2022. Anticipated increase to construction price is 4% annually but also affected by costs of fuel and inflation.
