Piedmont’s new community pool is now expected to open “next winter” according to a City of Piedmont press release on Friday. Project Manager George Sanen will present a status update on the community pool construction at the March 18 City Council meeting. The original construction timeline envisioned the pool opening in the summer of 2024, a timeline that’s been amended over time due to rain and other complications, including the removal of buried fuel tanks that required permitting and coordination with Alameda County Environmental Health.
The city says the project remains within budget. The City Council voted in December 2023 to take $1 million from the city’s Facilities Capital Fund in order to fortify the pool’s construction and contingency budgets – bringing the total project budget to almost $30 million.
Construction crews are now installing some of the foundational infrastructure for the pool and aquatic center building:
Crews recently completed footings for and are now forming the site’s third retaining wall, which runs along the Recreation Building and Magnolia Avenue. A concrete pour to complete the retaining wall is scheduled for later this month.
Simultaneously, the pool building is taking shape. With the steel frame and building footings in place, crews are now transitioning to interior buildout and recently completed construction of concrete masonry walls on the main level. Looking ahead, excavation will soon begin for the main pool.
City of Piedmont press release March 15
You can watch the meeting broadcast online or on KCOM (Comcast channel 27, AT&T U-verse channel 99), and provide comment in-person or remotely via Zoom:
City Council meeting: Monday, March 18, 6pm (Agenda | Staff Report)
Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/82141110391
Retaining wall prep 
Additional retaining wall work 
Site conditions after recent rain.
City recruiting now for Aquatics Supervisor
The City is currently recruiting for an Aquatics Supervisor who will manage day-to-day pool operations. The city said the new position was a key recommendation in an operational analysis prepared by Isaac Sports Group (ISG), a firm specializing in aquatics facility management.
In their findings, ISG determined that with the expanded operational scope including year-round use of two pools, increased programming, and new facility management needs associated with an all-electric pool, a dedicated supervisor-level position would be required to maintain the high level of service the Piedmont community expects.
City of Piedmont press release March 15
The City Council approved the new classification on March 4, and recruitment is open through April 1. Applications are available HERE.
So another year that PUSD has to pay the fees for rental swimming pools for at least water polo and maybe swim team as well? Those significant costs are real to an already cash-strapped district. None of the water polo kids who rallied to pass the pool ballot measure will have ever been able to use the pool which they rallied for, and only one – hopefully – class of swim team kids can use it.
This is so disappointing. Would other sports in Piedmont be expected to go three years without facilities? After all of the delays, it would be great to prioritize this, accelerate progress and have the pool ready for late summer/early fall.