Federal D. Glover
Supervisor, District Five
Contra Costa County , Board of Supervisors
dist5@bos.cccounty.us
www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover
For Immediate Release
Glover, Pittsburg, park district partner to reopen Ambrose pool
PITTSBURG (March 29, 2016) – Kids and swimmers will soon be splashing around again in the Ambrose Park Pool after being shut down for seven years.
“I used to work at Ambrose Park when I was younger,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, “so I know the value that the pool provides for the community.”
The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors approved this morning the release of Keller Canyon mitigation funds to help fill in the shortfall for the cost of repairing the pool to bring it up to code. The action, at Glover’s instigation, released a total of $250,000 from the county: $150,000 from the fees collected from the Keller Canyon Landfill for the fiscal year 2015-16 and will draw upon $100,000 from the anticipated fees to be collected in 2016-17.
Glover met with the park district and the City of Pittsburg to hammer out an agreement to pay the $682,000 needed to include a contingency fund and bridge the gap and between the original repair estimate to bring the pool up to new state standards, which forced its closure in 2009.
The balance of the funding gap will be split between Pittsburg and the park district, which encompasses parts of western Pittsburg and the unincorporated community of Bay Point.
The Pittsburg City Council approved the city’s portion of the funding last March 21. "Ambrose Pool is important to families in Pittsburg as well as Bay Point,” said Pittsburg Mayor Ben Johnson. “The additional funds move us closer to the pool re-opening, so the kids can swim there again."
“As a resident and board member of the Ambrose District, I am so pleased that Supervisor Federal Glover and the City of Pittsburg are helping us complete the pool project,” said park district board member Mae Cendana Torlakson. “This cooperative effort demonstrates how great teamwork among agencies helps serve our families and children.”
According to Ambrose General Manager Doug Long, the pool should reopen Memorial Day of 2017. “The renovation project has inspired a great deal of community spirit and we’re looking forward to providing the public with a refreshed pool facility,” said Long. “Without the support of County Supervisor Federal Glover and Board of Supervisors along with the City of Pittsburg City Council and staff, this project may not have come to fruition.”
The popular swimming pool complex, which first opened in the 1940s, closed down seven years ago because it didn’t meet modern safety standards. After several design and cost revisions and several community meetings, the new facility will feature a renovated pool and pool deck, a new bathhouse, and upgraded landscaping. The new pool will host a variety of activities including swim lessons, recreational swim, water aerobics, and special events for the entire family.
“Residents have been waiting a long time for their pool,” said Glover. “I hope that the pool opening will once again serve as a way to bring the community together.”
Ambrose pool press release click link for press release
