By Dave Schwab
No matter who might be interested in building and operating a proposed public Olympic-size pool at Liberty Station in Point Loma (formerly NTC, the Naval Training Center), the list of possible bidders includes the Peninsula YMCA and the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD).
The city put out a request for proposals (RFP) with a July 11 deadline, seeking a concessionaire for the proposed facility which has been sought by local residents for a decade or more. The RFP mandates that 50- and 25-meter pools are required as well as a family pool of unspecified size.
“We will be submitting a proposal by the deadline,” said Vince Glorioso, the Peninsula YMCA’s executive director in noting the international organization is eminently qualified to develop, maintain and operate a pool.
“Certainly we’re qualified, as we have extensive experience with aquatic programming providing lessons for young people throughout the county,” Glorioso said, “We operate more pools in the county than any other organization.”
“We positively might be involved in the swimming pool facility that will be at [Liberty Station],” said school board member Scott Barnett, who represents the beach community schools. “We have money in the the budget for swimming facilities.”
Even if SDUSD were to enter the pool RFP process and not be chosen as concessionaire, Barnett said the district might still be willing to partner with someone else on the project.
“Depending on who wins the RFP, we might be able to participate in order to make sure that whatever is built meets the athletic needs of the community,” he said.
The city’s RFP is being handled by the city’s Real Estate Assets Division.
In 2002, the general development plan for the NTC Park was approved by the city Park and Recreation Board.
The park design includes an aquatic center complex with a 50-meter pool, a 25-meter instruction pool and a family area with interactive water play elements. The plan also includes locker rooms, offices, restrooms, storage and a concession stand.
The RFP states that a new pool would serve the public by providing a variety of services including swim lessons, wellness and exercise programs, competitive programs for swim and diving and water polo, as well as providing a regional center for lifeguard, water safety, kayak and scuba/snorkel training.
RFPs must include a conceptual plan for the property including a preliminary site and floor plan, a program plan describing planned programs and activities and/or services including hours of operation, proposed fees and charges, a proposed term for the concession agreement and a financing plan.
Glorioso said his group’s RFP proposal will be a “membership-based model so that we can serve families, youth and seniors.”
If the YMCA were to be granted the RFP, Glorioso said the goal of creating a new aquatic facility would be to promote “healthy living and social responsibility” serving people of all ages.