Swimming Upstream
Building a pool of high importance to the community pool with a low carbon footprint
By Cady Nagy-Chow
Photos: Greg, a Smith of Salaber Associates, Inc.
Hagan Community Park is a household name in the greater Sacramento region, an iconic site in Rancho Cordova, and home to countless family reunions, business end-of-year picnics, the Hagan Community Barn animals, and more.
However, many residents have been missing something the past few years: the Cordova Community Pool. The original pool opened in the early 1960s and, at the time, it was considered a state-of-the-art, first-class aquatic center. For all that time, the pool was the premier aquatic facility in the region, serving approximately 150 visitors per day, not including attendance at swim meets and special events.
Six years ago, the pool closed due to major water leaks in the piping system. Cordova Recreation & Park District’s (CRPD) Park Planning & Development Team immediately knew action had to be taken. Leadership discussions and community input ultimately led to the board of directors securing a $5-million bond for replacement construction. After hiring the design firm LPA, Inc. in 2017, the city of Rancho Cordova also committed to donating $3.4 million to the project. It was a huge win for the community.
So, what is special about the new Cordova Community Pool, and why is the community so excited for this replacement? The overall design was made to minimize construction materials in order to decrease the pool’s carbon footprint. As for the pool building, the design was to have the highest impact with the lowest cost—all while using recycled content on finishing materials and creating better energy efficiency than noted in California Title 24.
Cool Pool Features
Separate pools allow for reduced annual operating expenses.
The pool mechanical systems are designed with fully automatic filters, including oversized pre-filter hair and lint strainers with clear lids, that reduce the frequency of cleaning and downtime for each pool and reduce water consumption, chemical usage, and heating requirements for the pools.
The pool circulation pumps (1,100 rpm motors) are more efficient, drawing less electricity and holding a 400-percent greater lifespan. Plus, the monitor/control system allows for slowing at night, which reduces overall electrical consumption by up to 40 percent.
The pool heaters are condensing boilers that operate at up to 97-percent thermal efficiency. These have a 400- to 500-percent longer lifespan and can reduce heating costs by up to 20 percent.
The pool water chemistry works at a lower level of chlorine, providing better water quality and reduced chemicals, while the monitoring system still ensures eradication of any bacteria.
Each pool deck includes a rim-flow gutter that provides surface-water collection, ensuring any potential pollutants (sunscreen, body oils, etc.) are filtered efficiently. This provides better water quality and reduces the need for chemicals.
Decreased Water Usage
All of the plumbing for the new pool will meet or exceed the California Green Building Code for nonresidential plumbing fixtures, placing them among the most efficient ones available today. Even the installed restrooms will greatly decrease water usage. Beyond this, the site runoff is directed to a series of existing concrete-lined ponds around the perimeter, which allows for sediments and pollutants to settle out. This system helps protect the downstream American River Parkway, which receives overflow runoff from the ponds.
Landscape
The pool complex is designed to tread as lightly on the land as possible, and takes on the ethos of doing more with less. The pool deck and other outdoor spaces are functional and efficient, yet elegantly refined to create an exciting experience. Existing trees and lawn areas were balanced with new paving and gathering spaces to reduce the number of materials required to construct and maintain the new facility. Included in this landscape were drought-tolerant and native plants that reduce the need for irrigation and ongoing maintenance, while also attracting pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. The plants also help clean and absorb the stormwater run-off.
Community Morale
The new complex will bring back an integral piece of community health and well-being, expanding the aquatic capabilities of Rancho Cordova. With two distinct pools, there’s something for everyone. CRPD’s staff will be able to hold larger and more in-depth swim and safety classes, or aquatic fitness, all while local swim clubs will have a home again. Beyond swimming’s physical benefits, research shows that having access to water play is great for mental health, as it improves mood in adults and is great for motor-skill development in youth.
Moving Ahead
So where is the project now? Shortly after CRPD’s Board of Directors authorized a construction contract with SW Allen Construction Incorporated to build the project for $7.9 million, the coronavirus pandemic hit Sacramento County in mid-March 2020. However, CRPD held strong, and with Public Health Order Protocols in place, the team began construction in April 2020.
One month later, existing pools, decking, and other structures at the site had been removed to make way for the project. By mid-June, underground utilities, rough grading, excavation, and plumbing installations were completed, allowing for CRPD to go virtual with a ground-breaking celebration. Though in-person gatherings were still banned, CRPD knew how important celebrating this momentous occasion in the project’s process was for the community. By the time students were using distance-learning for school, both pools had been plastered and tiled. During the fall and winter, the team continued working on underground piping and the main pool building/facility.
Though the anticipated date for a grand opening is summer 2021, construction experts on-site believe the project is moving ahead efficiently. What a welcome surprise an early opening would be!
Interested in staying up-to-date with the project’s progress? Follow @CordovaRPD on Facebook, or subscribe to CRPD’s YouTube channel to be the first to see Cordova Community Pool’s construction-update videos.
A former Walt Disney Company cast member and Marketing & Communication Specialist for Cordova Recreation & Park District, Cady holds a Master of Arts in Professional Communications. She took her experience from the Disneyland Resort, a guest-focused environment, and built a brand for Cordova Recreation & Park District, an independent special parks and recreation district within Sacramento County. While currently focused on social media content creation for an advertising agency, Cady is thrilled to share this story of her former district’s dedication to their community with professionals in the industry looking to grow during these unprecedented times.
About CRPD
Cordova Recreation & Park District is one of the largest independent special districts in Northern California, serving over 125,000 residents and four school districts in the greater Sacramento area. CRPD has over 40 parks and recreational facilities, as well as youth and adult sports, camps, enrichment classes, educational programs, and special events for the community.