A new look for Basalt swimming facility

The Arbaney Park Pool Complex is getting a makeover. 

Town Council just approved the project’s initial plan which also directed town staff to reach out for construction bids. Connect One Design prepared a five-year phased plan for the remodel, having been considered a high priority project for the town since 2013 when it was initially given the go ahead by the Parks, Open Space and Trail Committee (POST) and was adopted by town council and the planning and zoning commission at the time.
Local community activist Toni Kronberg expressed concerns in the public comments portion of the discussion that not enough community input was sought. Council did approve the ordinance with the caveat that POST meets to re-ratify its earlier approval and while seeking additional community comments. 

The Let’s Talk Basalt town website — letstalk.basalt.net — has solicited community feedback and public comments on Arbaney Park. The 2020 budget included $625,000 under the capital improvements plan for the project plus additional money for the waterline and pool plaster work with funding through the Town of Basalt Parks Open Space and Trails sales tax.

The initial 2020 Phase 1 calls for a new water line, pool code compliance and safety upgrades, mens and womens locker room renovations, two new family changing rooms, new PV Panels on the new changing room roof and new boiler and mechanical equipment. Phase 2, planned for 2021,  adds the main pool replaster, new roof extension around locker rooms, an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliant ramp into the shallow pool, robot pool cleaner and sail shades.
The 2022 Phase 3 includes family-friendly restrooms, new pavilion slab, utilities and roof,  moving existing solar thermal to the pavilion roof, new fencing, new pathway, new trees, artificial turf and irrigation in other areas.. And finally, in 2023, Phase 4 adds pavilion, potential additional solar thermal, energy monitoring, handicap parking, replacing some play equipment and possibly a hot water storage tank depending on the results of an energy review.
Basalt conducted a community-wide survey in June and received a total of 60 responses. Public comments included “Could there be more uses for it the other months of the year,”  Add a “wave-less, gutter system and backstroke flags” and “I can afford it for my family every summer. It’s the one thing in town that we really love doing in the heat.”

One question included “What is your favorite improvement?” Results ranked in order from top  community preferences were shade, robot pool, locker rooms, energy efficiency, hot tub, solar, new bathrooms, refresh overall design, environmentally friendly,  ADA improvements and other ideas.

In other action…

Basalt approved extending the date for face covering requirements without a specified date, but council will revisit the timeline at the July 14 council meeting. The initial public health order passed on May 1 and was set to expire June 23. Council had stressed, “This action is immediately necessary to preserve the life, health and safety of the town and its residents.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued recommended face covering use, “Wearing face coverings will protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms.

Council members encouraged exceptions for dining patrons, those exercising in a fitness center and performers or participants at a special event permitted by the town. Concerning recently opened Basalt’s Sunday Market, Mayor Bill Kane said, ”We had nice support and a lot of positive feedback,” adding, “The energy was great.”

He also responded to the recent drive-in theatre event organized by Crown Mountain Park and The Art Center at Willits (TACAW) was a “crazy success” and announced a small TACAW ground breaking event will take place Friday, June 26 for the Contemporary.

Plus, council approved the site plan on first reading for the proposed Basalt Express Carwash on Southside Drive in the Basalt Business Center West as presented by the applicants, Von Rooyen Group on behalf of the Aspen Skiing Company
Council also reviewed and accepted the comprehensive, independent financial audit for 2019 conducted by McMahan and Associates, Certified Public Accountants.