The Aquatics Complex
The current pool is efficiently run but is just too small for today's Carlsbad.
Our population has more than doubled since 1990; the Monroe pool was built in the early 1980s.
The results: long waits for swim lessons, long waits for sports such as competitive swimming, diving, water polo, and synchro, and lack of space and time for adult fitness and competitive swimming. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of death for children so this is a life-or-death issue: public swimming pools and swim lessons are not merely recreational. The instructional pool at the new Alga Norte Park is desperately needed.
A competitive pool and a therapy pool are also part of the revamped design. Water slides and the river feature were cut.
Competitive swimming is huge in San Diego County. 5 swimmers from Carlsbad-based North Coast Aquatics went to Olympic Trials this summer in Omaha, Nebraska. One of them is a 13-year old swimmer from Carlsbad who raced in 2 events (100 meter backstroke and 100 meter butterfly). She cannot train in Carlsbad because the pool simply doesn't have enough pool time available. Another NCA swimmer will be competing in the Olympics.
City Council has also heard from a wide range of residents about the need for Alga Norte in terms of water therapy for a variety of conditions and ages.
