Needles Council authorizes $7,400 needs assessment for aging municipal pool

The Needles City Council voted to authorize Community Works Design Group to conduct a needs assessment and cost estimate for the municipal aquatic center, approving up to $7,400 in expenditures with $5,800 from general fund reserves and $1,600 from the Sand Shark swim team.

Staff told the council the pool is in poor condition after draining, describing extensive plaster loss: "the bottom of the pool looked like Swiss cheese," the presenter said, listing damaged plaster, aging pumps and filters, worn coping and a slide in need of replacement as issues the assessment should address. Staff said the needs assessment will inform a grant scope and noted a full replaster could cost in the order of $150,000.

Public commenters urged the council to pursue a replacement pool rather than recurring repairs. Barbara Beard, a resident who said she documented past community outreach and grant efforts, recalled safety complaints and children suffering cuts from loose tiles during earlier years and urged continued pursuit of a new facility.

After discussion, council moved and approved the assessment contract. The staff presentation said the assessment will shape a grant application the city will submit for funding opportunities and that the Sand Shark Swim Team donated $1,600 to the assessment.

What happens next: staff will proceed with the needs assessment and return findings to the council; council members said they will continue pursuing larger grants for replacement if the assessment supports that path.