Authorized by the Yucca Valley Town Council in 2021, the DAHLIN Group, Project Managers for the Yucca Valley Aquatic and Recreation Center, worked with Town Staff and Stakeholders to finalize site selection and programming. Town Council received 13 bids for the project’s design, with HMC ultimately winning the selection process. The concept for the building is inspired by the desert landscape, climate, and the history of Yucca Valley.
The plans include a hybrid indoor pool with an additional recreational swimming pool, a few lap lanes, a gymnasium, a splash pad, and park staff offices. A hybrid pool is vinyl and gunite (a concrete blend of sand, cement, and water applied through a high-pressure hose). A future phase of the project includes a competitive pool. The designs include natural evaporative cooling, thermal mass materials, night ventilation, cooling fans, and air humidification.
At the November 15 Yucca Valley Town Council Meeting, Representatives of HMC Architects, Brad Glassick, Principal in Charge; Adilene Contreras, Project Manager; Jon Orr, Senior Project Designer, and Sergio Lechuga, Director of Interior Design, presented new drawings of the interior and expanded designs of the exterior of the Center. To create the renderings for this project, the design team and Town Staff engaged in a multi-week process of project visioning, design exploration, prototyping, test fits, and development.
The Current designs integrate existing recreational facilities at Brehm Park with the new Aquatics and Recreational Center by adding pedestrian pathways, seating, and shade areas.
The designs for the interior include soft, harmonious colors reminiscent of the desert landscape. Much attention was given to the convenience and safety of family gatherings, as is evident in the pool areas and restrooms. The interior space is designed for flexibility. For example, the gymnasium can accommodate a high school dance. The pool area also has a large screen area for movies. The Staff office spaces can increase or decrease capacity depending on need.
The Prop 68 budget for the pool complex, after state fees, administrative costs, planning, and design fees has allowed $15 million for construction. However, Staff acknowledged that the original budget would not cover everything, and other funding sources would be needed. Considering the efficiency and money-saving aspect of completing the project at once, Staff is exploring different avenues, and a conversation on funding is scheduled for the next Town Council meeting. Review and approval of the designs are planned for January 30, 2023. Bidding and awarding of the construction contract are scheduled for March 2023.
