
SANTA MARIA The Paul Nelson Aquatic Center will be closed beginning Jan. 11 through April 1 for an improvement project, city officials announced Thursday.
The city of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department will be leading the improvement project of the aquatic center, at 600 S. McClelland St. With an estimated 75,000 people using the aquatic center annually, the renovation is needed to continue meeting the growing needs of the community, Recreation Services Manager Dennis Smitherman said in a news release.
A total of $779,055 of Community Development Block Grant funds have been directed by the Santa Maria City Council for the project. The work will include reconstructing the plaster surface of the pool, updating the pool to industry standards and replacing parts of the pool deck.
“To avoid long-term closures, the Olympic-size pool has been patched several times over the years, however, a full resurfacing project has not occurred since the last major renovation in 1997,” Mr. Smitherman said.
Card-holding patrons with monthly and yearly passes to the pool will be allowed to swim at the YMCA, at 3400 Skyway Drive in Santa Maria.
Those with questions about the project can call the Recreation and Parks Department at 805-925-0951 ext. 2260.