![]() ![]() They get out of the chair because they’ve been sitting in it all day and they’re actually able to walk and move in the water. “I mean, I actually even learned how to speak English here with my peers and other kids that were swimming because it was a hub for our community to have access to one another.”įor Hagel, teaching aerobics at the center has given her a sense of community. “This center means so much for our community,” said Councilmember Andrea Cardenas, whose Fourth District includes Loma Verde. ![]() Those who attended Wednesday’s demolition ceremony couldn’t resist reminiscing about what Loma Verde meant for them. “This new center is planned to serve our community for the next 50 years,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. Of Chula Vista’s $57.5 million in COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act dollars, $8 million will go to Loma Verde, which will help cover the third phase (pool renovations). Most of the funding, estimated at about $12.8 million for the first two phases (design and construction of the building), is provided by Measure P, the half-cent sales tax voters approved in 2016 for infrastructure projects. Then came the federal stimulus funds, which the city saw as a one-time opportunity to complete the project’s costs. “Staff believes that proceeding with the design of … the facility will increase our competitiveness in future grant opportunities,” read the city staff report. Last year in April, the City Council voted to spend $1 million on the design and pre-construction of the new facility, in hopes that new funding opportunities would arise, according to city staff. Loma Verde’s upgrade will cost approximately $20 million, he said.Īt one point, the city wasn’t sure how it would fully fund the project after it failed to receive a state construction grant in 2019. “I think the pandemic really helped us see that the outdoors is where people want to be,” Farmer said. Its new design follows a larger, open-space concept for outdoor recreation, as well as creating seamless connections between the indoors and outdoors, such as giving the multipurpose room large sliding doors. The pool area will also undergo renovations, with a replacement pool and an expanded pool deck. The three-phase construction project is slated to turn the building into a new, 20,000-square-foot center with a multipurpose gymnasium, hard courts, restrooms, staff offices, including for lifeguards, and a multitude of rooms designated for crafts, fitness and games. Over the years, Loma Verde has had several repairs and remodels but has lacked a comprehensive vision, according to city staff. In addition to swimming, it offers pre-kindergarten classes, flag football, martial arts, jazz dance, ballet and gymnastics. Currently, the community center is composed of a 50-meter pool, a large hall with a kitchen and a game room with foosball and air hockey.
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