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Finley Aquatic Center
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Spray Ground Coming to Finley Aquatic Center!
Planning and Construction
Finley Aquatic Center will receive a major upgrade to include the construction of a new, modern splash pad and spray ground in the general location of the existing wading pool to surround pool deck and lawn areas. The exciting new spray ground will provide a multi-generational water play experience featuring an assortment of elements including a central water dump, water cannons, and a variety of other automatic and manually operated spray features.
The splash pad will be central to the design along the south edge of the aquatics center, with lawn and shaded picnic areas on either side. In addition, the project scope includes a new mechanical room, landscaping, and upgrades to adjacent pool deck areas, enabling access to the new facility and throughout the aquatic center swim area to be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and allow for seamless movement between the spray ground and the existing pools.
Project Features
- 15 interactive, recirculating spray features such as dripping palm trees, water cannons, deck sprayers, a super soaker, spraying arches, water activity table, and a variety of other automatic and manually operated elements.
- Two new reservable picnic areas with tables and shade covers for birthday parties and community events.
- New concrete pool decks to provide enhanced, ADA compliant accessibility and to replace the existing deck area which is aging and failing.
- New tropical-themed landscaping, including palm trees, to create an enticing tropical paradise.
Project Schedule
Plans for the project are are being finalized for approval. We anticipate the project going out to bid early 2023 and breaking ground late August or early Sept. 2023. Project completion is scheduled for Summer of 2024. Please check back for future updates.
| Project Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Design Complete | Winter 2023 |
| Request for Bids | Early Spring 2023 |
| Construction Begins | Fall 2023 |
| Construction Complete | Summer 2024 |
Aquatic Center Closure & Program Availability
Finley Aquatic Center will be closed during construction. Finley aquatic programs displaced during closure will be held at the city’s Ridgway Swim Center as scheduling availability allows. For current information on the city’s aquatics programming, visit: srcity.org/Aquatics. Additionally, pool users may consider options available at other local community pools, such as the new Olympic sized pool at Santa Rosa Junior College, which is available for use through enrollment – search for aquatics classes with the Kinesiology Department at classes.santarosa.edu/.
- What is being built?
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The zero-depth splash pad will have 15 different interactive spray features including dripping palm trees, water cannons, deck sprayers, a super soaker, spraying arches, water activity table, and more. Additionally, two new reservable picnic areas with picnic tables and shade covers will be built for community rentals and birthday parties. Concrete pool deck areas, which are currently aging and failing, will also be replaced to provide enhanced accessibility and meet slope requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. New landscaping with a tropical theme, including palm trees, will be added to create a beautiful and enticing tropical paradise.
- Why are you building a splash pad?
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The new splash pad and spray ground attraction and picnic areas at Finley Aquatic Center will provide interactive fun for families, in addition to the Finley pool that is currently well loved and used by swimmers and water fitness enthusiasts. The new splash pad attraction and picnic areas will generate new revenues for the Finley Aquatic Center and will differ from similar features at the Ridgway Swim Center in that they will accommodate younger families.
- Will the Finley pool be closed during construction?
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Yes, creation of the splash pad, picnic areas and new concrete decking at the Finley Aquatic Center will require closure of the pool and aquatic facility during construction. It is anticipated that the project will go out to bid in early 2023. To avoid impacts to the summer swim programs, construction is now tentatively scheduled to begin late August 2023 and be completed by June 2024.
- What is being done to accommodate programs displaced during the Finley closure?
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Finley aquatic programs displaced during the closure will be held at the city’s Ridgway Swim Center as scheduling availability allows, including lap swimming, water fitness classes, and swim lessons. Additionally, swimmers may consider options available at other local community pools, such as the new Olympic-sized pool at Santa Rosa Junior College.
- What will the water temperature be at the Ridgway pool?
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Ridgway water temperature is currently set at 79-80 degrees to accommodate the needs of competitive swimmers and swim teams. During the Finley construction closure, the water temperature at Ridgway will be increased to between 80-82 degrees to help accommodate the preferences of Finley pool users.
- Will early morning and evening Lap Swim be offered at Ridgway during the Finley closure?
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Yes, Ridgway’s early morning Masters Swim and Neptune practice has moved to the new Santa Rosa Junior College pool, thus allowing for early morning lap swim at Ridgway, Monday thru Friday from 6-8am, and evening Lap Swim Monday thru Friday from 7-8pm. Expanded lap swim times may be offered if there is interest and demand. When Finley closes, these additional hours will be added to the existing Monday thru Sunday 9am-1pm Lap Swim hours.
- What will happen to Spring 2024 Swim Lessons during the Finley closure?
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Spring swim lessons are being planned for the Ridgway pool, March-May 2024. While space is limited at Ridgway, a wide range of lesson levels with the same high-quality instruction that residents are used to will be offered.
- Will you offer Water Fitness at Ridgway during the Finley construction closure?
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Yes, Water Fitness classes will be offered Monday thru Sunday from 9-10am and 10-11am, and Monday thru Thursday from 7-8pm at Ridgway during the Finley closure. Due to contract obligations with the Neptune Swim Team the 5-6pm Water Fitness class will not be offered. Water temperature will be 80-82 degrees, and the water space configuration will be 3-5 lanes running shallow to deep.
- What is happening to Water Polo during the Finley construction closure?
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The Cardinal Newman High School program is moving to the Santa Rosa Junior College 50 meter pool, the City of Santa Rosa Water Polo Program will be taking a break during the Finley construction closure, and the Neptune Swim Team has started a Youth Water Polo Program at the Santa Rosa Junior College pool. For more information, please visit santarosaneptunes.com.