Item Number: 25
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: July 16, 2024
Submitted By:
Donna Meester, Community Services Director
Subject:
Preliminary Feasibility Assessment - Community Swimming Pool for South Side of City Recommendation:
Any action is at the discretion of the Honorable City Council.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this preliminary feasibility assessment.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Evaluating the feasibility of a new Community Swimming Pool in the south side of the city aligns with Strategic Goal E, Invest in Infrastructure, and Strategic Goal F, Communication and Outreach. Exploring the feasibility to offer more aquatic amenities could result in additional infrastructure, activities and opportunities for positive interaction within the community.
Background:
At the City Council meeting of June 4, 2024, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Harriman and unanimously approved to visit the feasibility of adding a community swimming pool on the south side of the City.
Discussion:
This item is being presented to Council to further consider options for the potential addition of aquatics facilities in the southern portion of the city. Victorville is approximately 14 miles from the farthest point north at the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) to the southern-most point; resulting in a city midpoint at seven (7) miles, approximately located at Hopland St. However, if we exclude the northern-most area of SCLA due to being largely commercial/industrial, the city is approximately nine (9) miles north to south; resulting in mid-point of approximately five (5) miles, located near Palmdale Road/Highway 18 (see Attachment A). Thus, for the purpose of this review, consideration 3 6
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was given to all opportunities south of Highway 18. There are six (6) existing City parks located in the south side of the city: Eagle Ranch, Hollyvalle, Liberty, Mesa Linda, Mojave Vista, and Sunset Ridge (Attachment B). Most of these parks are either owned by school districts and/or operated under a joint use agreement that would require coordination with school districts.
Depending on pool size, the area needed for a community pool is approximately two (2) to four (4) acres. A standard competition size pool is 13,455 sq. ft. or .3 acres. Additionally, deck size, amenities (e.g. restrooms, showers, lockers, tables, and seating), and parking require additional space. Per the City’s “Parks & Recreation Master Plan Appendix F: Infill Analysis” (Attachment C), the following table indicates the available infill acreage at the parks located in the southern side of the city.
Eagle Ranch .75 Acres
Hollyvale .16 Acres
Liberty .37 Acres
Mesa Linda .00 Acres
Mojave Vista .05 Acres
Sunset Ridge .58 Acres
Based on this information, Hollyvale, Liberty, Mesa Linda, and Mojave Vista parks do not meet the space requirements for a community pool. Eagle Ranch and Sunset Ridge have minimal infill opportunity for a pool; however, it is important to note this infill opportunity may not support the space needed for the related amenities and parking.
The Parks & Recreation section of the City’s approved Capital Improvement Plan (Attachment D) lists the current priorities from the Parks & Recreation Master Plan. The priorities include the addition of a splash pad at Sunset Ridge which would grossly reduce the infill availability, eliminating it as a candidate as the future site of a community pool, a pool complex on the west side of the city, as well as other amenities such as a sports complex, skatepark, and dog park.
Based on the infill data above, existing parks may not be a viable option for a new community swimming pool. The City would more likely need to acquire land or develop on any other City-owned land located in the designated area. The City owns four (4) parcels in the northern portion of the southern end of the city, of which three (3) meet the minimum space requirement. All parcels are in the general area north of Mojave Vista Park (see map in Attachment E).
Community Services staff are also in discussion with the Victor Valley Union High School District for the use of the pool at Silverado High School, which is located in the south side of the city. This pool is competition-sized with restrooms, lockers, showers, and a large deck area for tables and chairs. This type of shared use would align with Objective 3.6.c. of the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, “Identify partnerships with other organizations to address the need of providing additional space for programming in the community.”
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Given the minimal infill opportunities and the timeline associated with the design and construction of an aquatics facility, staff consider the shared-use opportunity at Silverado High School as the most feasible and cost effective way to expand pool availability in the south side of the Victorville community as early as next summer.
Staff remains available for any questions or comments.
Attachments: A. City Maps with Midpoints
B. Parks and Facilities Map - South
C. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Infill Analysis
D. Parks & Recreation Section of the Capital Improvement Plan E. City Owned Parcels in the South Side of the City