Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
City Council Meeting - October 10, 2023
1. Project History, Background, and Work
Completed
2. Project Challenges Encountered
3. Impacts to Tidelands Revenue
4. Response to Challenges and Proposed
Alternate Programs Considered
5. Bid Alternate Scenarios and Fundraising
6. Public Feedback
7. Next Steps
Presentation Overview
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
2 Project History, Background, & Work Completed
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Pool Structural Investigations and City
Response (2013-2016)
• Belmont Plaza Pool deemed structurally and
seismically unsafe after a series of investigations;
pool facility ultimately closed and demolished
• City begins design and constructs the outdoor
Belmont Temporary Pool for interim use
• New Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center project
initiated; City hires architects and aquatics design
experts for programming and concept development
• Public engagement held to define program and
options
Perspective of Original Concept Design
3 Project History, Background, & Work Completed
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Design, Environmental Review and Coastal
Permitting (2016-2021)
• Draft EIR issued for public comment and
adjustments to architectural programming
revised with public input
• Planning Commission certifies EIR and City
Council approves EIR and EIR Addendum
• Proposed project receives Local Coastal
Program and Coastal Commission
approvals
Perspective of Revised/Approved Concept Design
4 Recent History of Project Costs
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
• Project submitted to Coastal Commission August 2018 ($145M Est) • Revised project/ EIR addendum approved by City Council January 2020 ($85M Est)
• Coastal Commission approved the project February 2021 ($130M Est) • Design complete October 2022 ($119M Est)
5 Cost Growth from 2019 Estimate
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
6 COST GROWTH CATEGORIES AMOUNT
($ millions)
Code Required Seismic Upgrades for Existing East Pool $8.6 Escalation & Market Volatility $8.1
Coastal Commission Related Costs
(design revisions, professional services, plinth, lighting, pile removal etc.) $7.0
Geotechnical – Soil Stabilization/ Strengthening $6.0
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Changes $4.0
Phased Construction To Maintain Access To Water $3.9
Design Driven Changes
(Myrtha, Remote Chemical Room, HVAC in offices, Radiant heating, Angel Eye life safety system etc.) $3.7
Labor Compliance and Specialty Trade Related Costs $2.6 Existing Pool Interim Repairs $1.2
Total Estimated Cost Growth $45.1
Project Cost Drivers
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
7 COST SUMMARY AMOUNT
($ millions)
Total Estimated Project Cost as of September 2022 $130
Savings: East Pool Upgrades as a Future Phase -$11
Additional Value Engineering Recommendations -$2
Estimated Project Cost as of September 2022 $117
Funds Appropriated as of September 2022 $61
Other Potential Funding Sources $6
Total Estimated Funding Gap $50
2023 Commitments
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
8 1. Complete design and be ready to bid the project
• ACHIEVED!
2. Present financing strategy to bridge the funding gap • ACHIEVED…until SB1137
Sponsorship Opportunities
• Feasible to raise a few million dollars, but not enough to close the gap Infrastructure Law/Other Grants
• Competitive process
• Focus on transportation, climate, energy and the environment, and broadband
• Feasible for very limited scope of the project
Debt Service (sale of bonds)
• Tough but feasible until SB1137
• No longer a feasible option for the current project at the amount needed Bridging the Funding Gap
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
9 Before SB1137
• Potential for up to $50M debt issuance backed by Tidelands (depending upon operating costs)
• Reductions to operations needed in about 8 years (FY 31) • Estimated that oil abandonment would be funded by 2035 • Tidelands Fund maintains a positive balance with oil priced at or above $55/barrel
• Other priority projects can be funded with one-time dollars when oil is priced above $55/barrel
• Debt capacity for other projects is not possible (AES Pumps/ Convention Center/ Seawalls/ Belmont Pier etc.)
Impacts of SB1137
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
10 After SB1137
• Would require Long Beach to bet on oil prices significantly higher than the 17-year average
• Tidelands Fund would be depleted in FY29, requiring large service reductions
• Oil abandonment funding would be exhausted in FY 29, 6 years early, requiring General Fund to pay for oil abandonment
• No additional one-time dollars would be available for any Tidelands projects into the foreseeable future
• Debt capacity for other projects is not possible (AES Pumps/ Convention Center/ Seawalls/ Belmont Pier etc.)
Impacts of SB1137
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
11 • Annual operating costs for the current facility are approximately $1M
• Projections for the new (larger) facility were approximately $2M • Current estimates for the new (larger) facility as of September 2022 were approximately $5.5M
• Annual operating and programming costs need to be
approximately $2M (i.e., $3.5M below current estimates) for the project to be feasible
• Increase driven largely by water space and the area requiring staff coverage
Operating Costs Overview
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
12 • $62-75 million total project budget (a reduction from current $119M project by approximately $50 million)
• Reduce and combine the bodies of water
• Reduce recreational and competitive components
• Reduce spectator seating
• Reduce support spaces and locker facilities
• Shrink overall footprint
What does a feasible project look like?
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
13 City Response to Challenges Encountered
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
• Reaffirm project purpose and goals
• Develop a fiscally viable project alternative: one within budget and achievable
• Long-term O&M should be sustainable
• Develop an inspiring aquatics complex that will provide access to most aquatic opportunities - swim lessons,
therapy, recreational water play, and space for competition 14 2023 Alternative Aquatic Program Options Considered
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
50m Pool with one bulkhead 50m Pool with one bulkhead 70m Pool with two bulkheads Four (4) springboards
Two (2) ziplines
Two (2) climbing walls
Four (4) springboards
2-centerline dive tower
Four (4) springboards
2-centerline dive tower
Instructional Pool
Recreational / Instructional Pool Instructional Pool Only Vortex
Activity Tower
Spray Features with Floatables and
Water Volleyball
(3) 60 ft lanes 4 ft deep
15 Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 1
– Option 1 Plan View
16 Option 1
1. 50m with spring
boards, zipline &
climbing wall
2. Recreation &
instructional pool
with activity tower,
vortex, spray
features, volleyball
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 1
17 Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 2
18 Option 2
1. 50m with
spring boards
and centerline
dive tower
2. Instructional
pool
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 2
19 Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 3
20 Option 3
Combined 70M Pool
with spring boards,
centerline dive
tower, and
instructional pool
combined
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center – OPTION 3
21 Rough Order Magnitude (ROM) Costs for Construction & Delivery Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
1. 50m + spring boards and zipline
and climbing wall
2. Recreation & instructional pool
with activity tower, vortex, spray
features, volleyball
1. 50m + spring boards
and centerline dive
tower
2. Instructional pool
1. Combined 70M Pool
with spring boards,
centerline dive tower,
and instructional pool
ESTIMATED PROJECT DELIVERY
COSTS
$74.2M $74.4M $73.5M
Current Estimated Hard Costs $39.2M $38.7M $38.1M
Current Estimated Soft Costs $16.5M $17.2M $16.9M
Inception to Date Actuals $18.5M $18.5M $18.5M
TEMPORARY POOL REPAIR COSTS $2-3M $2-3M $2-3M
22 O&M Costs
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Program Description 1. 50m + spring boards and
zipline and climbing wall
2. Recreation & instructional
pool with activity tower, vortex,
spray features, volleyball
1. 50m + spring boards &
centerline dive tower
2. Instructional pool
1. Combined 70M Pool with
spring boards, centerline
dive tower, and
instructional pool
Total O&M Cost $3.59M $3.72M $3.76M
Personnel $2.02M $2.02M $2.02M
Consumables $440K $483K $516K
Utilities $705K $803K $803K
CCC Conditions $422K $422K $422K
23 City Recommended Alternative Program (PROPOSED PROJECT) Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
Option 1: RECOMMENDED
50m Pool with bulkhead
Four (4) springboards
Two (2) ziplines
Two (2) climbing walls
Recreational / Instructional Pool
Vortex
Activity Tower
Spray Features with Floatables
Water Volleyball
• Three Program Alternatives were
developed and reviewed, and associated
fiscal impacts were studied
• Based on program goals, fiscal
constraints, and access requirements
from existing permits, Staff recommends
Option 1
24 Instructional Pool and
Recreational Amenities
• Aquatics Center is a Citywide amenity
within the coastal zone – must broadly
and equitably serve the public
• Offer low-cost aquatic programming
and recreational access to users of all
skills and abilities
• Coastal condition requires majority of
water bodies to be available for
general public use during operating
hours (i.e. not solely for competitive
events, private instruction or extensive
use by clubs, or temporary events)
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
25 Source: AquaClimb.com
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
26 Instructional Pool and
Recreational Amenities
• Coastal conditions of approval
requires a Public Access Program for
the facility. In 2018, CLB submitted, a
Citywide and Underserved Programming
to Enhance Access to the Proposed
Facility proposal, which includes:
• After school and weekend programs
• Summer Day Camps
• Access for Seniors
• Partnerships with nonprofits and other
civic organizations
• Outreach and marketing
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
27 50M Pool with
Bulkhead Provides
Flexible Programming
• Opportunities to
support a variety of uses
with adjustments to the
bulkhead
• Proposed 50M can
accommodate
competitive events such
as 25M, 25YD, 50M and
spring board diving
competition
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
28 Provides Flexible Programming
• 50M pool can support water polo
competition, practices
• 50M can support recreational spring board
diving, open recreation, and zip line and
climbing walls concurrently
• Option 1 does not meet every need
• Lack of permanent seating is the biggest drawback as it would put the project over budget
• Have the ability to add to the project for certain items as “bid alternatives” if the funding is identified
• City is at capacity for funding at this point, even stretching to make the $75 million mark
• Private support would be needed to add other items
Tough Decisions Required – Fundraising Could Help
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
29 • 544 seat aluminum
bleachers
• 3,290 SF shade structure
• Additional restroom
capacity (required by
code)
• $3.68 million in
additional cost
Bid Add Alternative for Restroom/Seating/Shade Structure Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
30 • Building siting and placement along East
Olympic Plaza to consolidate access and
entry points and create a formal arrival
point
• Proposed configuration maintains ocean
views and cooling breezes for pool patrons
• Perimeter glass fencing would provide
security and mitigate wind and sand
intrusion
• Additional technical studies to be
conducted on configuration and material
options selected
Design Considerations
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
31 Program Element Previous
Program
Proposed
Program
Notes
50 meter pool ✓ ✓
Second 50 meter pool ✓ Temporary pool would stay as long as we could keep it Dive Pool ✓
Zip line, climbing wall, springboards ✓ ✓
Instructional Pool ✓ ✓ Combined bodies of water with recreational pool Recreation Pool with Activity Tower ✓ ✓
Spa ✓
Sprayground with Discovery Stream ✓
Spectator Seating ✓ ✓* Could be added with $3.68 million in fundraising Comparison of Approved Program and 2023 Proposed Program 32 Current Set Aside and Proposed Budget
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
33 Aquatics Facility AMOUNT
Prior Years Set Aside $65.5M
New Budget as of FY24 $1M
Total Available Budget $66.5M
Total Estimated Project Costs $74.2M
Estimated Funding Gap -$7.7M
Outdoor Temporary Pool Repairs AMOUNT
Total Estimated Repair Costs $2 to 3M
Funding Gap based on Estimated Repair Costs -$2 to -$3M • Community Meeting held June 27, 2023 with over 100 attendees to provide a project update, review the work to date, and provide an overview of the challenges leading to the proposed design changes
• Virtual comment card was open between June 27 to July 18, 2023 Public Engagement
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
34 • Majority who provided public comment support the rebuild of the pool (84%)
• Of the supporters, a 13% subset prefer that the facility is constructed without recreational elements (i.e. zip lines, climbing walls, and recreation area with spray features and activity tower in favor of swimming only)
• Of the supporters, an 11% subset, indicated the need for permanent seating and a smaller subset prioritized associated shade structures • Approximately 26 individuals or 16% of the respondents opposed the rebuild of the pool, indicating it is the wrong priority, in the wrong location, or too costly to construct
General Feedback
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
35 • Prepare Updated Project Package for
Coastal Commission
• CDP Special Conditions Report Updates
• Fee Proposals & Negotiation
• Schedule Development
• Preparation of Construction Documents
and Bid Documents
• Plan Check and Permitting
• Tracking of Inflation, Escalation, and
Market Volatility
Project Team Next Steps
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
36 Proposed Schedule
Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
37 Major Activities Duration
Local Coastal and Coastal Commission
Permitting
9-12 months
Design/Engineering and Building Plan Check 10-12 months Procurement and Bid/Award Phase 4 months
Construction 16-18 months
PERSPECTIVE
38 SITE PLAN
PREFERRED PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
SITE PLAN
39 AERIAL LOOKING SOUTH
PREFERRED PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
PERSPECTIVE
40 AERIAL LOOKING WEST
PREFERRED PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
PERSPECTIVE
41 AERIAL LOOKING EAST
PREFERRED PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
AERIAL LOOKING NORTH
PREFERRED PROGRAMMATIC CONCEPT
Thank you
Tom Modica, City Manager
[email protected]
43