The Oro Valley Town Council approved around $3.4 million in improvements to the Oro Valley Municipal Pool.
The council voted 7-0 at its Dec. 7 meeting to fund the project with $400,000 in parks and recreation impact fees, $500,000 in bed-tax fund cash reserves and $2.55 million in bond proceeds.
Town officials also will launch a fundraising campaign to collect donations to offset project costs.
Corporate naming rights of the pool also will be an option, interim Town Manager Greg Caton said.
A pool feasibility study presented to the Town Council in April 2011 found that the Oro Valley pool needs enhancements to comply with new Americans with Disabilities Act standards and also needs several other upgrades.
The pool is at James D. Kriegh Park, 23 W. Calle Concordia, and lacks conveniences needed to host competitive swimming events such as big swim meets, duathlons and triathlons.
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"We've been overlooked in the past to host large-scale meets due to the current state of the facility and lack of amenities," town employee Catherine Vorrasi told the council.
She added: "We're confident that with these proposed improvements our pool facility will rank among the best in Southern Arizona and will attract large-scale competitions. Not to mention, it will be an exciting place for families to spend an afternoon."
A group of young swimmers attended the council meeting to show their support for the enhancements.
"I'm very excited. This is something that's a definite benefit to the kids standing in the back of the room. I've always wanted to get something done for them," Councilman Barry Gillaspie said.
Planned improvements include shade structures, a splash pad, additional seating, a timing system and scoreboard, more changing rooms and a new 25-yard lap pool with six lanes and a drop slide.
Work on the project is scheduled to start in May 2012.
Pool staff will work with other pool facilities in the area to find water for Oro Valley pool users should construction close the pool.
Vince Trinidad, director of sports development for Tucson Sports, told the council he wants to partner with the town to market the facility to attract signature events to Oro Valley.
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau board chairman Lynn Ericksen, who also is the general manager at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, told the council he endorsed the improvements.
"This is a strong opportunity for our community," he said. "It's a logical contribution to the community while also being one of those kinds of benefits that can really drive the travel and tourism industry in Oro Valley, and the associated economic development that comes with that."
Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at arivera@azstarnet.com or 807-8430.
