The existing Recreation Center was built in 1975, with limited improvements and regular ongoing maintenance over the life of the building. Because the building never went through a major renovation, many of the original construction systems and materials are still in place. This brings a range of challenges from longevity, deterioration, code compliance, hazardous materials, and systems reaching the end of their useable life.
Design Development Documents
The project is currently in the middle of the Design Development phase. View some of the documents that are in progress by clicking below. Included are mission and vision statements, updated floorplans, color palettes, and exterior elevation renderings.
Schematic Design Drawings
View two of the deliverables from the Schematic Design phase, colored floorplans, and exterior elevation renderings.
Program Verification Report
This report provides details regarding the JK-BRS Architecture Engineering process to understand the community desires, evaluate the site constraints and opportunities, and provide a preliminary design for the facility that sets the course for a successful South Lake Tahoe Aquatics and Recreation Center project.
Appendix
The Program Verification Report featured an in-depth appendix with over 70 pages of addition detail.
2010
Department of Public Works reports to City Council on the condition of the aging facility and the impending costs to replace critical equipment/systems and components.
2014
The City Council adopts the Parks, Trails and Recreation, Master Plan. The Master Plan was jointly funded by the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County to provide direction for enhancing recreation opportunities for residents and visitors by increasing collaborative efforts and focusing resources where they are most needed. Following extensive public outreach and stakeholder workshops, the Master Plan process identified five categories of recommendations one of which is Park & Facility Maintenance, Renovations and Improvements. Specifically, the Master Plan states: “Renovate and modernize the Recreation & Swim Complex to provide a state-of-the-art multipurpose, multi-generational recreation, aquatic, senior and visitor center”. Among other considerations, the Master Plan identified the following amenities to include in a new or renovated facility:
- Expanded indoor/outdoor aquatic facility focused on leisure swimming
- High-quality support amenities such as family changing rooms, locker rooms and showers
- Enhanced gymnasium space with multi-sport options
- Fitness space and classrooms for cardio programming
- Space to accommodate programming for seniors and older adults
October 2014
Department of Public Works lists a project request for the “Renovation or Replacement of the Recreation Center” in the City’s Capital Planning document in order to begin the project studies.
July 2015
City Council appropriates undesignated general funds for the preliminary planning of the renovation or replacement of the recreation center and retains Williams and Paddon (WP) Architects – Roseville, CA to produce preliminary design concepts and reports. Over the course of the timeline, the consultant produced fourteen iterations of concepts for a new facility. Upon completion of the conceptual design alternatives, City Council proposed an amendment to the existing City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to be known as Measure P (Resolution 2016-38). Measure P was proposed for the special purpose of funding the design, construction, operation and maintenance of recreational facilities, specifically including the construction of a recreation complex as set forth in the Recreation Master Plan.
November 2016
Measure P passed by Voters providing the City with approximately $2.1M annually towards the project.
December 2015
Public Meeting # 1 was held to seek public input regarding the proposed recreation program elements included in the concept of facility designs.
March 2016
Public Meeting #2 was held to verify public input regarding programming space and receive input on concept selection.
January 2017
The Department of Public Works solicited Request of Qualification for Architectural and Engineering Services for the project. On April 18, 2017, upon completion of qualification process, City Council entered into a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Sink/Combs/Dethlefs (SKD) of Denver, CO to begin formal design of the project, and on May 5, 2017 the team held the first design meeting to lay the groundwork for advancing. Some of basic project design philosophies were:
- Maintain as much of the approved conceptual alternative as possible
- Verify programming needs and space and adjust accordingly
- Integrate general space in the design to accommodate community events
- Incorporate mountain/alpine aesthetics
- LEED certified design and construction (LEED Gold minimum)
- Design and construct within reasonable bond debt service limit, i.e. create a plan that is financially feasible, affordable, and sustainable
January 2018
The City placed the design of the project on hold due to the potential outcome of a citizen-led ballot measure to ban Vacation Home Rentals (Measure T) which may negatively affect the project budget revenue. Measure T was subsequently passed by Voters on the November 2018 ballot.
February 2019
City Council convened a strategic workshop and established the project as a priority project. Council directed staff to research the feasibility of renovating versus demolishing the existing facility in an effort to potentially decrease project costs due to the passage of Measure T.
November 2019
City Council enters into an agreement with Perkins & Will (formerly Sink, Combs, Dethlefs) to perform the facility condition assessment and alternatives report.
January 2020
City Council and subsequently, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors adopted resolutions outlining proposed terms for a new long term agreement for the 56 acres land lease, including the following: “The City shall endeavor to construct a new Recreation / Swim / Senior Center facility on the ’56-Acres’, generally located along US 50 on the northern edge of the ’56-Acres’ west of the existing library facility”, and “The City shall allocate approximately 9,000 square feet of space in the New Recreation Center for County senior center programs, the purpose of providing older adult services. The space shall include a commercial kitchen and dining room for the purpose of accommodating the County Senior Nutrition Program and allowing shared use within the City."
February 2020
Department of Public Works presented the existing conditions analysis and report to City Council for discussion. City Council determined the best course of action is to construct a new recreation center versus renovating the existing. Staff was directed to pursue Architectural firms for the design of such.
March 2020
Department of Public Works released Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural and Engineering Services in an effort to restart the design of the new recreation center.
July 2020
City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with JK Architecture Engineering (JKAE) of Tahoe City, CA for architectural and engineering design services for the construction of the new Recreation & Aquatic Center.
August 2020
The program verification phase of the project begins!
Mission
The South Lake Tahoe Recreation & Aquatics Center will be both a recreation hub for residents and a destination for visitors with flexible spaces which complement existing recreational opportunities in the area. This citizen driven state-of-the-art facility will be efficient and sustainable for the City to operate and accessible to all incomes, ages and ability levels.
Vision
The City of South Lake Tahoe aspires to provide a community amenity which elevates the health and wellness of its citizens and visitors. A place where timeless design integrates with natural environment and celebrates the Jewel of the Sierra.
Goals
- Fulfill promises to voters in Measure P
- Provide recreational amenities to residents and visitors.
- Commit to a fiscally and operationally responsible facility with an affordable fee structure now and in the future
- An environmentally sustainable facility that is efficient in design, layout and energy use.
- Provide flexible spaces so it can adapt to variety of uses and recreation trends
- Unique programming - the only municipal Aquatics facility in town
- Deliver project on schedule and within budget.
- “WOW” factor
- 56-Acre Master Plan on track with the recreation center development
City of South Lake Tahoe Master Plan
Read about how the Recreation and Aquatic Center came to fruition in the City of South Lake Tahoe Master Plan.
Project Funding
This project was made possible by the Measure P for Recreation Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.) It was a 2% tax that was charged to visitors when renting accommodations (a room, rooms, entire home, or other living space) in a hotel, inn, house, motel, or other lodging locating within the City limits for a period under 31 days.
City of South Lake Tahoe Team
Jerry Bindel, Measure P, Recreation and Lodging Commissions Representative
Anush Nejad, P.E., T.E., Director of Public Works
John Hitchcock, Planning Manager, PM on Master Planning Process
Joe Irvin, City Manager
Faye-Marie Pekar, Engineering Technician
Jim Marino, Capital Improvements Project Manager
Lauren Thomaselli, Recreation Superintendent
Kelley Edwards, Recreation Supervisor
Tamara Wallace, City Council Representative
JK Architecture Engineering
Jordan Knighton, AIA, NCARB, Architect-of-Record
Chris Vicencio, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, DBIA, Project Manager
Gary Davis, Civil & TRPA Support
Carla Sammis, Civil & TRPA Support
Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture
Katie Barnes, AIA, LEED AP, Principal-in-Charge
Bill Clifford, R.A., LEED AP, Project Manager
Melissa Ford, AIA, Design Manager
California Tahoe Conservancy
El Dorado County
Lake Tahoe Boys & Girls Club
Harrison Avenue Business Owners
El Dorado County Senior Program