Board approves pool demolition and design contracts; split emerges over $6M expansion to add teaching pool

The Cabrio Unified board approved multiple Measure K contracts on June 18 that advance the Half Moon Bay High School rebuild and new aquatics facilities, but the pool item produced the meeting’s most contentious debate.

First the board approved a demolition proposal to remove the existing pool and surrounding structures, presented as a standalone contract because the pool is a freestanding facility. The demolition estimate presented at the meeting was $41,141 and was funded by Measure K.

Next the board approved a design-services contract for a two-story replacement Building G (classrooms, special education and CTE spaces); staff cited a design fee included in the packet (presented in discussion at roughly $2.33 million). Board members asked that staff provide earlier notice for large contract approvals and maintain ongoing staff input during schematic and design phases.

The most contested vote concerned the aquatics complex. Staff presented a design that includes a main, 14-lane pool (10 lanes at competition depth, three at teaching depth, plus a transition lane) and a separate three-lane teaching pool, with support buildings. Staff said the latest construction estimate is materially higher than the facility master-plan budget (staff presented a figure in meeting discussion around $19.86 million total construction cost, roughly $6.1–6.2 million more than the $13 million figure in the facilities master plan). The architects’ design fee presented was moved forward for approval.

Public commenters strongly urged the board to pursue an expanded facility that serves both the high school and the broader community; Kirk Reamer of Friends of Half Moon Bay Parks & Rec encouraged the district to "think big" and explore donor/community fundraising to enlarge the project. Resident Jesse Shik stressed the public-safety and equity case for swim skills and cited regional drowning statistics to argue for a robust community-accessible facility.

Several board members said they supported the larger design and the addition of a teaching pool to serve community swim lessons and senior aquatic programs, but one board member opposed approving the package without written commitments from community partners to fund the additional $6 million. That member said they could not responsibly move forward without documented commitments and preferred tabling the item to seek written backing. Staff and other members argued delaying schematic design could push construction timelines and that schematic design work is needed to secure additional commitments.

The motion to proceed with the recommended design and associated contracts passed. The meeting record shows a divided vote with multiple board members in favor and at least one opposed; public commenters and other board members signaled intent to pursue community fundraising and grant avenues to close the funding gap.

Why it matters: The new aquatics complex is a major capital investment from Measure K with multi-million-dollar cost implications; the decision determines scope, timing and how the district will coordinate fundraising, community use and school needs.

Next steps: Staff will proceed with the approved schematic design and continue outreach to community partners and funders; board members requested written commitments where possible and asked for detailed cost/footprint alternatives (including exploration of expanding into adjacent service-road areas) before final construction approvals.