SLO Swim Center – Olympic Pool Closure
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
When is the Olympic Pool Resurfacing Construction Project Taking Place?
A:
Q:
How much is this project going to cost?
A:
Q:
Replacement of all of the pool’s plaster as well as sealing the gutters and water surge pit to:
reduce chance of injury and water loss and to maintain sanitary conditions and structural
integrity. The pool must be drained (all water will be recycled after entering the City’s sanitary
sewer system) in order to perform the work, and portions of the pool bottom will be cut out and
replaced to remove failing areas. Additionally, the underwater lights will be replaced to
maximize safety and energy conservation. Finally, drainage enhancements will be made to
ensure compliance with the State of California Code of Regulations (Title 22) and the Virginia
Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (15 USC 8001), which went into effect on December 19,
2008. The Safety Act requires that all public pools be equipped with anti-entrapment drain
covers.
It seems like the pool takes a lot of maintenance how often does this replastering occur?
A:
Q:
The City Council authorized a total project budget of $443,000 to complete all of the necessary
pool repairs and upgrades. This project was identified as a Major City Goal in the 2015-17
Financial Plan in support of Fiscal Sustainability and Responsibility. This project will consist of
the plaster and tile removal and replacement, structural repair to the Pool shell, drain inlet
modifications, and light replacement. Any project savings from the pool replastering project will
be returned to the City for use by other capital improvement construction projects as approved
by the City Council.
So what does resurfacing the Olympic Pool entail?
A:
Q:
The Olympic Pool will close for repairs and plaster resurfacing on Monday, September 7, 2015
and is planned to reopen no later than Monday, January 11, 2016.
The lifespan for a pool plaster job is estimated at 10-12 years. The current shell is more than 16
years old (last replastered in 1998). The underwater lighting is original which means they have
been underwater for 36 years. The lighting is now beyond repair. Minor maintenance projects
are performed annually in the Fall/Winter to minimize the number of long term closures needed
by keeping the pool in tip-top shape.
How come this Project is going to take so long?
A:
The project involves considerable efforts to repair and update the structural shell of the aging
pool, in addition to the replastering. Once the contractor is selected the City will explore options
for accelerating the work that fit within the approved project budget. A significant contributor to
the project length is the plumbing required to construct the drainage system with new antientrapment enhancements compliant with State regulations. Before the resurfacing work can be
completed, the bottom of the pool in the diving well will need to be removed, re-plumbed, and
rebuilt.
SLO Swim Center – Olympic Pool Closure
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Is it wise to be doing this project during a drought – isn’t this a huge waste of water??
A:
To avoid wasting of water, all pool water will be drained directly into the City’s sanitary sewer to
be recycled and eventually reused as recycled non-potable water. Unfortunately, the pool water
cannot be used directly on plants as the pool water has a very high salt concentration as a
result of the chemical stabilization used to keep it clean, clear and safe for swimming. This high
salt level is detrimental to most vegetation, including turf. As a result of the high salt content,
pools (commercial and residential) are typically drained to the sanitary sewer. The City’s
advanced treatment capabilities will enable the water to be returned to the community for use
through the recycled water program.
Although the Pool requires 600,000 gallons to be full and operational, the biggest user of water
at the SLO Swim Center is not the pool itself but the users who shower before and after their
swims. The City is expected to save over 1.5 million gallons of water during the closure of the
main pool through the construction period. This water savings is the result of reduced showers
and pool water evaporation that ordinarily occurs. While swimmers will obviously be impacted
by a temporary loss of this facility, the water savings will help the City comply with the State
mandated water cut backs, and make up for the loss of the 600,000 gallons emptied from the
pool. The net impact is therefore an expected savings of 900,000 gallons of water.
Q:
What about the Therapy Pool will it stay open?
A:
The entire SLO Swim Center, starting September 7, 2015, will be closed for two weeks for its
annual maintenance and cleaning. The good news is that the Therapy Pool will reopen
Monday, September 21, 2015 while the Olympic Pool is under repair.
Q: So what will be the hours for the Therapy Pool?
A:
Therapy Pool General Use Hours
Monday - Sunday: 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM
TIMES
POOL USE
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM:
The shallowest portion of the Therapy pool is for
youth swimmers.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:
Aqua Aerobics will be held in the Therapy pool in the
middle and deep portions of the pool.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM:
The deep portion of the Therapy pool is reserved for
adult & seniors only for therapy uses.
Monday—Friday: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
TIMES
POOL USE
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM:
The shallowest portion of the Therapy pool is for
youth swimmers.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM:
Aqua Aerobics will be held in the Therapy pool in the
middle and deep portions of the pool.
5:30 AM – 6:30 PM:
The deep portion of the Therapy pool is reserved for
adult & seniors only for therapy uses.
SLO Swim Center – Olympic Pool Closure
Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy Pool Warm Water Exercise Classes to be held:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 – 9:00 AM & 9:00 – 10:00 AM
Therapy Pool Private Swim Lessons
There will be four (4) two-week long private swim lesson sessions starting September 21st.
Please visit the City’s website at www.slocity.org for SLO Swim Center registration details.
Q:
So where can I swim while the Olympic Pool is closed?
A:
Cuesta Pool is the public pool that has the most access. Cuesta added an afternoon lap swim
time to help accommodate our displaced swimmers while our pool is being repaired. Click on
the link to view the Cuesta Lap Swim Schedule.
http://www.cuesta.edu/communityprograms/aquatics/lapswim.html
Cal Poly is available to graduates and employees.
Kennedy Club Fitness is a private membership gym which has a 50 meter pool.
Cuesta Pool
August 17 – November 25
Morning
MWF – 5:30-8:25 AM
Tu Th – 7:00-8:55 AM
Noon
M-F 11:30-1:30 PM
Evening
M-F – 4:30-6:30 PM
Aqua Fitness
MWF 7,8,9, & 10 AM
Tu Th 7 & 8 AM
M- Th 4:30 & 5:30 PM
Cuesta Pool Fees
Daily
Ten-Booklet
Monthly
Semester
$4
$36
$35
$150
For more Information contact: 805-546-3100 x 2103 or Email: [email protected]
Cal Poly
Note: Eligible staff, faculty, emeritus, students, alumni and partners thereof only
Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM and Sat-Sun: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Cal Poly Rec Center Fees
10-Day
1 Month
3 Month
12 Month
$70
$40.67
$122
$488
For more information contact: 805-756-6335 or Email: [email protected]
Kennedy Club Fitness
Note: Private Gym, must be a member*
Hours: Daily 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Kennedy Club Fitness Fees
*Monthly Membership required for use of KCF pool. KCF Free Trial passes available at select locations.
Individual
Add Spouse/Child
Seniors (60+)
Students
Military Service
$59
$39/$29
$54
$54
$54
For more information contact: 805-781-3488 x17 or Email: [email protected]
Q:
What pool facilities will the SLO Seahawks, SLO High School, SLO Ocean Currents and other
organizations be utilizing during constructions?
A:
The organizations that regularly use the SLO Swim Center have made arrangements with other
pool facilities, including Cal Poly and Cuesta, while the pool is under construction.
SLO Swim Center – Olympic Pool Closure
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
What will the staff be doing while the pool is under construction?
A:
Don’t worry - the SLO Swim Center staff will stay super busy during pool repairs. Swim Center
staff will use this time to perform annual facility cleaning after the long summer season. The
facility will be receiving a deep cleaning and reorganization of the storage areas. Lane lines will
be fixed and equipment will receive some much needed TLC. The Parks and Recreation
Department will assist in finding alternative work ideas for some of the lifeguards and “dry land”
trainings will continue in effort to maintain the current safety and CPR certifications required of
SLO Swim Center staff.. During construction, full-time swim center staff will be working on
various administrative special projects at the Parks and Recreation Department.
Public Works staff that help maintain the SLO Swim Center facility will be performing annual
pump/filter maintenance, various facility painting projects and rehabilitation, repairs and
upgrades to the bath house and locker rooms during the pool replastering period.
Q:
Will there be updates on the website during construction?
A:
Q:
Construction updates will be provided bi-weekly through the SLO Swim Center’s electronic
newsletter. If you would like to receive updates regarding construction as well as hours, pool
closures when open and other special events, please contact Shawn Tucker at #781-7291 or
email [email protected]. Regular updates will also be provided on the City’s website at
http://www.slocity.org/government/department-directory/parks-and-recreation/slo-swim-center
Who do I contact should I have any questions?
A:
Staff are available to answer your questions or you may visit the City’s website at
www.slocity.org to learn more about Parks and Recreation program and services.
TOPIC
 Therapy Pool Times
and Classes
 e-News letter
 Replastering Project
Updates
 General Information
CONTACT
Shawn Tucker, Recreation Coordinator
#781-7291
[email protected]
Devin Hyfield, Recreation Supervisor
#781-7295
[email protected]