Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Locker Room Renovation Meeting Report



Dear swim patrons,

I would like to report what transpired at the Fremont Pool locker room renovation meeting yesterday evening.  We are very pleased to report that the renovation is going forward!  The tentative construction schedule will be from May 29 – Sept 17th, 2014.  It is an extensive renovation, but it appears that all items will be addressed!

Basically, they will be gutting most of the building.  Here is the replacement list as it was listed off yesterday evening:  Will use deck shield wall board which resists mold, all new drains, additional drains in changing area, new floor, new trench drain, all plumbing, lights, electrical, fixtures, toilets, exhaust fans, heat ventilators, ducts, lockers, benches, faucets, sinks, hot water heater.  New portion of roof that is flat. We can expect that the floor layout of the building will remain the same.

City staff reported that there is some mold in the walls, but the air tests in the rooms report no mold in the air, i.e. it is safe for use at this time.  We were informed that the project manager is the school district – inspected by state architect, not the City of Sunnyvale.  Sunnyvale staff assured us it would be well monitored and done right.  Many swim patrons provided input about desirable attributes, what they would like to see, etc.  Overall, people asked for more industrial strength materials and fixtures.  We were assured that he donor bricks would be protected and that the donor plaque would be unharmed.

If you have input about what might work better in the locker rooms, please contact Nancy Grove at ngrove@sunnyvale.ca.gov .  The customer process is overseen by the Superintendent of Community Services, Dan Wax at dwax@sunnyvale.ca.gov and the construction portion will be overseen by the Superintendent of Facility Services, Robert Van Heusen bvanheusen@sunnyvale.ca.gov .  I’ll forward more information as it is available.  Please pass this on to your swimming friends.  

Unfortunately, they cannot complete such a task in a shorter period of time. Tentatively, we can expect to be using the school locker rooms from June 5 – August 14th but it is unknown if the locker rooms, and thus the pool, will be available from August 14 – September 17th.  We want the job done right, however!   

I am delighted that this item will be taken care of and you should be as well.  Unless there are issues, I am approaching this with a big smile!  Again, if you can think of concerns or have good ideas, don’t hesitate to contact city staff or myself.

Many thanks to all those who attended the meeting or gave input on email!

Best,
Holly

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Project Review: Fremont H.S. Poolhouse Renovation Project



Nancy Grove scheduled a community information meeting about the Fremont HS Poolhouse Renovation Project on Monday, November 18.  She said that at the meeting City staff will share information about the project scope, a tentative timeline and potential impacts to the aquatic program. 

The link to the flyer is here.

I highly encourage pool users to attend the meeting and learn more about this project.

Nancy’s contact info is:

Nancy Grove
Community Services Manager
Sports, Aquatics and Facilities
City of Sunnyvale
Department of Library and Community Services
P.O. Box 3707, Sunnyvale, CA 94088

Office: (408) 730-7363


Thank you - Holly

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

CSC to Operate Fremont Pool



Dear Friends of the Fremont Pool,

This evening, California Sports Center was approved to continue their contract at the Fremont Pool.  They will begin the new contract in mid-August.  As a benefit to pool patrons, rates will be frozen (no fee increases) for a year.  We were very happy to keep this contractor.

One issue of debate was the increase in the liability premium going from $1/$2 million to $5/$10 million in insurance affecting groups who rent the pool.  While large renters like SUNN and those who can get coverage under USA swimmers will have no effect, it is unknown if some smaller groups might have difficulty.  Rather than postpone the contracting decision any further, the contract was approved and, hopefully, the issues with gaining coverage for the smaller renters will be resolved.

One council member strongly favored having the city operate the pool.

Again, the FFP Steering Committee is very pleased to know that CSC will continue to operate the Fremont Pool.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Friends of the Fremont Pool Strongly Endorses California Sports Center for Pool Operator



The Friends of the Fremont Pool Steering Committee voted unanimously to ‘strongly endorse’ California Sports Center to operate the public swim programs at the Fremont Pool.  Holly Lofgren said, “After reviewing their excellent proposal it was evident that CSC has plans to continue the success at the pool.  They have been repeatedly commended by community members for their dedication to a full and varied aquatics program, and towards ‘getting it right’ no matter what the issue.

The formal hearings which will be conducted by the Parks and Recreation Commission and by the Sunnyvale City Council have been published.  Our letter of strong endorsement is copied below for your convenience.  I hope that you will come out and support CSC at one of these meetings or send a representative from your group.  Thank you.

Public Hearing Item 4: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Proposals for the Operation of Public Swim Programs at Fremont High School Pool
http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Portals/0/Sunnyvale/NonCouncilReports/2013/DraftRTC-FremontPool.pdf
The Parks and Recreation Commission
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 7:00 PM
SUNNYVALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale CA 94088

The Sunnyvale City Council
Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 PM
SUNNYVALE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94088


May 8th, 2013

Our Letter of Strong Endorsement

Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
City of Sunnyvale
456 W. Olive Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA  94088-3707

Re: Proposal for Operation of Fremont Pool

The Friends of the Fremont Pool Steering Committee is happy to offer its strong endorsement for California Sports Center to continue to operate the City of Sunnyvale Joint-use 50-meter Swimming Pool at Fremont High School (Fremont Pool).
The Friends would like to commend California Sports Center on its excellent pool operations for the past eleven years and for its plans for the future.  Based upon our own personal experience, the expectations we set out when we commenced the community fundraising drive, the content of CSC’s excellent report,  (both in its form and its substance), and the comments we hear from other pool users and pool groups, California Sports Center has surpassed expectations.   Of particular mention is the quality of the staff.
We respectfully ask the Mayor and the Sunnyvale City Council to award the pool contract to California Sports Center, without delay. 


Signed,
Holly Lofgren & the
Friends of the Fremont Pool Steering Committee


cc.  Lisa Rosenblum, Nancy Grove