The public listens to the update on the recreation CIP projects during the Parks and Recreation Board meeting Oct. 12 in Council Chambers. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The Parks and Recreation Board learned about the capital improvements projects (CIP) to be added to the County’s recreational offerings during its regular board meeting Thursday, Oct. 12.
The Los Alamos County Council approved $11.4 million in County CIP funds at its Aug. 8 meeting for a splash pad in White Rock, improvements to the Los Alamos County Golf Course, enhancements to the Los Alamos Ice Rink and the addition of a kiddie pool at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center.
Two of these projects were presented to voters in May as part of a $20 million recreation bond. Voters did not pass the bond. The existing ice rink Improvements are the same improvements that were planned seven years ago as part of the county-wide CIP program. The kiddie pool is a scaled back leisure pool that meets a $5 million budget as directed by County Council.
Parks and Recreation is expected to discuss making a formal recommendation about the recreation CIPs in November and the recommendation is planned to go to Council for approval in December.
Public Works Director Philo Shelton provided a briefing to the Parks and Recreation Board on each project.
Golf Course: Shelton said essentially, the golf course improvements are identical to what was proposed in the bond election. The total cost for the project is $4.5 million and involves aerating tees and fairways, overseeding fairways and tees as well as the greens, renovating the bunker and installing a new irrigation system. Shelton presented a general timeline for the project, which includes the design phase from February through September 2018 and construction is planned from September 2018 through March 2020.
Splash Pad: The splash pad project will also be similar to what was proposed in recreation bond. Shelton said the splash pad will be located in Pinon Park, next to the White Rock Branch Library. He explained the water for the splash pad would be recirculated as well as filtered and chlorinated. There will also be shelter for shade and changing rooms next to the existing restrooms. The total cost is $720,000. The general timeline for the project is to do the design January through May 2018 and the construction is planned from May through November 2018.
Ice Rink: The ice rink project will include renovating the restrooms and locker rooms. The restrooms will be brought up to code as well, Shelton said. Six locker rooms for men and women will be added. He said the rubber flooring will be replaced, too. The budget for the project is $1.2 million. The timeframe is do the design phase January 2018 through February 2019 and construction will occur April 2019 through March 2020.
Kiddie Pool: Shelton said the new pool would feature a zero entry, an aerated feature similar to a hot tub and a lazy river. An optional feature would be an enclosed water slide that would zig-zag in and out of the aquatic center. He added there would be a need to be work on relocating sewer lines and constructing minor retaining walls. The total cost of the project is $5 million. If the slide is approved, the additional cost would be $458,000. The timeline for the project is to do the design phase from February 2018 through February 2019 and construction is planned to occur from February 2018 through January 2020.
Board Chair Melanee Hand wondered whether the work on the golf course would make the course lose a season. Shelton said sections of the golf course will definitely be closed.
“There will be disruption,” he said.
Regarding the ice rink improvements, Board member Robbie Harris asked, “Are we addressing the needs of the hockey community? With this are we meeting their needs?”
Shelton said he believes the locker space and restroom will meet the hockey players’ needs. However, extending the shade structure is not in the budget.
During public comment, residents Shelby Redondo, Irene Powell and others urged the Parks and Recreation Board to increase the budget for the kiddie pool to construct the pool as it was originally proposed in the recreation bond.
Reading from a letter written by Terry Foxx, Redondo said $5 million will not be sufficient to do a credible job and felt $8.6 million would be required. The current CIP will not be conducive for children or seniors. In her letter, Foxx said creating the original CIP would be “a lifelong gift to Los Alamos.”
Powell also said she felt the additional funding was needed for the project.
“We feel the size will not fit the needs of Los Alamos. We can attempt fundraising efforts … to raise money for the slides and water features,” she said. “The recent design is too small … the lazy river would not accommodate many people either. We like the design and all it includes but it’s too small. We need the facility the entire community can enjoy and be proud of.”