PRAC favors Yountville Commons pool; $1 Million cost prompts further study
The Nov. 20 Yountville Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) meeting focused on the possibility of adding a pool to the Yountville Commons development.
At a recent Town Council meeting, three options were presented: a pool managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, a pool managed by Yountville Fit, or no pool, with the space instead developed as a sport court.
At their last meeting the Town Council reached a preliminary consensus that a pool operated by Yountville Fit would offer the best variety of programming and the most cost-effective option for the town, but they requested PRAC’s input before moving further.
All PRAC members agreed that the town constructing a pool to be managed by Yountville Fit was the strongest of the proposed options. Donovan Almond, owner and manager of Yountville Fit, could offer significantly more aqua fitness classes, lap swim opportunities and aquatic physical-therapy options than the town could feasibly provide on its own.
However, PRAC members emphasized the need for deeper research into the pool’s long-term viability before justifying the substantial construction cost. Town Manager Brad Raulston noted that the town’s investment would likely be closer to $1 million, substantially higher than the earlier estimate of $500,000. PRAC Chair Alan Tenscher also requested additional details regarding the long-term financial implications of town ownership of a pool.
Several Yountville residents, who are regular lap swimmers and currently must travel to other cities for pool access, shared specific design considerations they felt were essential for a pool to support effective lap swimming.
Almond reported that Yountville Fit will soon be conducting a member survey to gauge interest in adding aquatic fitness options to their programming.
Raulston anticipates bringing the results of the research and all related findings back to both PRAC and the Town Council sometime in February.
