Public Works Director Philo Shelton presents the proposed recreation capital improvement projects to the Parks and Recreation Board during its meeting Nov. 9. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.comBy KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Enhancing recreational opportunities in Los Alamos took one step forward during the Parks and Recreation Board meeting Thursday, Nov. 9.
The Board unanimously recommended Los Alamos County Council approve several recreation capital improvement projects (CIP): a new splash pad in White Rock as well as improvements to the Los Alamos Golf Course and ice rink as presented. However, the Board debated its recommendation for the proposed kiddie pool at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center.
Ultimately, the board decided in a 5-1 vote to recommend Council approve increasing the budget to include a water slide and a lazy river in the first phase. The additional funds should not exceed $2 million. The extra funds would also allow for more square footage to the proposed pool. The current CIP project calls for a zero-depth entry pool, a main body of the pool, deck and locker spaces. Council will discuss the recreation CIP projects during the Dec. 5 meeting.
Board Vice Chair Paul Cook cast the opposing vote. He explained all the other projects’ budgets were cut from what was originally proposed in the recreation bond that went before voters in May. However, more money is being requested for the pool. This additional funds could be used elsewhere such as the softball fields or tennis courts, Cook said. “We have a lot of other needs in the county,” he said. Cook added if the original $5 million budget for the kiddie pool isn’t going to adequately cover the project then it shouldn’t be done.
Several attendees advocated for additional funding for the multi-generational pool. Irene Powell, a member of the Parks and Recreation board pool subcommittee, said, “We appreciate the County Council giving us the $5 million…” However, she urged the board to recommend more money to build a family recreational pool rather than just a kiddie pool.
She pointed out the popularity of similar facilities such as the Genoveva Chavez Community Center in Santa Fe and the recreation center in Durango. Powell added 20 years ago, the community fundraised $150,000 for a multigenerational pool. “If we’re going to do this right I really hope you encourage the county council to give you (the additional) $2 million,” Powell said, adding, “If we’re going to do it. Let’s do it right. Let’s do it now.”
Resident Lisa Shin cautioned against increasing the budget for the proposed pool. She felt the existing aquatic center needs to be better managed. Shin said the pool’s expenses are twice its revenue. She suggested doing more marketing and outreach to turn it around. “You can expand without incurring more cost,” Shin said.
Plus, with the laboratory’s operating contract yet to be awarded, Shin said the County needs to be careful. “Given our fiscal situation … it would be very unwise to ask the council for an extra $2 million for the pool.”
Public Works Director Philo Shelton presented each project to the board.
According to agenda documents, the proposed CIP for the golf course includes: a new irrigation system, site development and project costs for a proposed budget of approximately $4.5 million
There are several priorities the Golf Course Advisory Subcommittee would like the CIP to address and number one is the irrigation system, subcommittee member Laura Crucet said.
The splash pad, as stated in agenda documents, would include site development, splash pad, projects costs and a bid alternate for shade structures, furnishings and prefabricated changing stalls. The proposed cost for the splash pad is $720,000.
According to agenda documents, the ice rink CIP includes a locker room addition, replacing flooring with rubber flooring and reconfiguring existing bathrooms.
Ice rink subcommittee member Darren Meadows said, “We’re excited about (the improvements). We think this is going to make the facility really nice.”
He added, “The only real issue we have is that the proposals don’t do anything for the main concern which is the lack of quality ice conditions, particularly late season.”
Meadows said the subcommittee has looked into the feasibility of a partial cover to extend the skating season by a month. The condition of the ice makes it difficult to schedule hockey games, he said. Meadows added the subcommittee contacted several companies and found ones that would be willing to do a shade study and design at cost. The hope was $15,000 could be used to complete the shade study, the board agreed to include this shade study in its recommendation.
“If we can keep the sun of it that’s going to make the biggest difference,” Meadows said.
