April 21, 2009 Tuesday 6 p.m. Council to review new costs which are $4.8 million cheaper. Come to City Hall please!
March 2009 Council asks for new cost estimates;
Hall, Blackburn, and Kulchin list among Top 3 Priorities.
July 2008 Council votes 4-1 to delay advertising for Alga Norte Park bids. Doesn't revisit in Oct due to economy.
June 2008 Voters change Carlsbad to a Charter City.
2007-2008 Funding is approved. Bids are called for; all are under budget yet rejected for subcontractor issues.
We ask you to consider the value of the Alga Norte pool
complex in light of all aspects of the economy. Residents of all ages can achieve fitness in aquatics programs, reducing other economic costs such as health care expenses due to obesity, diabetes, and cardivascular disease, to name only a few. Beyond that consider the individual quality of life issues: a child becoming a swimmer, an injured athlete quickly rehabilitating, a senior having a safe place to exercise in Carlsbad.
If you say Alga Norte Now too, contact the council.
In mid-2007, the Carlsbad City Council chose 12 Top Priorities for 2007-2008 from 121 goals. One of the goals elevated to a top priority was the Alga Norte Park and Aquatic Complex. This was partly in response to the residents of Carlsbad who participated in community workshops and otherwise voiced their opinions to the council in favor of the park and pools. After decades on the drawing board, the pool complex and capacity for swim lessons finally seemed on the horizon. The council received accolades from residents for meeting the needs of the city, especially children.
Now the pool complex is in danger due to economic worries.
However, children in Carlsbad need access to swim lessons regardless of the economy. Current demand for pool time is several times that available at the Monroe Pool which was built when Carlsbad population was about half today's.
Carlsbad families drive their children to surrounding cities for swim lessons and other aquatics programs. Money which would be spent in Carlsbad is being paid to other city aquatics programs as well as the shopping, dining out, etc which is done while there. In the process, Carlsbad's economy loses as do the families and the environment due to gas wasted driving to nearby towns with pools. And the price for not going that distance could be a drowning or near-drowning.
