Southwest Turlock is another step closer to having a functioning public swimming pool that is expected to be completed by May 2024 — just in time for the start of the swimming season.
The Columbia Pool project had its ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday with city dignitaries and about 80 elementary-school-age children on hand at the pool site on Columbia Avenue near Beech Street.
“I’m ecstatic,” said District 2 councilmember Rebecka Monez, who campaigned heavily on the Columbia Pool issue during the 2020 election cycle. “This has been almost three years in the making, and we are on target for a May 1 opening.”
Also representing the city at the groundbreaking — in addition to Monez — were Turlock mayor Amy Bublak, District 4 councilmember Pam Franco, city manager Reagan Wilson, Public Works director Erik Schulze, Turlock police chief Jason Hedden, and Turlock fire chief Andrew Hunter.
Gil Esquer, a former District 2 councilmember and 2022 mayoral candidate, and Turlock Unified School Board member Mary Jackson also were present for the festivities.
Field representative Gavin Cline stood in for Rep. John Duarte (R-Hughson), while Jacob Faulder attended in place of state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson).
The Columbia Pool was first constructed in 1957 and has gone only minor repairs since 1990. The pool has been closed since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the project will cost $9,076,087.28, which takes into account construction, demolition of the old pool, and the purchase of pre-built structures for a concession stand, restrooms and a facilities/storage hut.
The city is covering nearly $5.1 million of the project with money from its pilot cannabis program, an utilizing an additional $3.8 million in leftover ARPA funds. A grant from Turlock Irrigation District will cover another $200,000.
The lengthy pool closure has not affected the splash pads adjacent to the pool, where children have been able to beat the heat.
When completed, the pool will cover 6,822 square feet with a deep end that will be just over 8-feet. It will also feature ADA accessible ramps, and a heating system that will hasten the start of future swim seasons, probably in March, and extend it until about Halloween.
Nearby, there will be seven family-style bathrooms, three standard bathrooms, shaded arbors with picnic benches, and eight park benches, according to Monez.
In February 2021, the council approved an estimated $1.8 million to repair the Columbia Pool, but it quickly became evident that a complete overhaul was necessary to bring the pool up to code and make it ADA compliant.
After the gold-shovel groundbreaking ceremony, guests were treated to pizza and frozen yogurt.
