Learn more about the highly anticipated project coming soon!
Proposition 68 Update:
Aquatics & Recreation Center
Hello,
Thanks for taking the time to read about the Aquatics & Recreation Center project in Yucca Valley! We hope this special edition newsletter will provide useful context, updates and details on this Prop 68 funded project. We look forward to sharing our progress on this monumental project with our community. Be sure to follow our social media channels to track project milestones and view up-to-date renderings and photos.
As always, visit the Town’s website for contact and additional information at www.yucca-valley.org or feel free to stop by Town Hall to say hello.
Curtis Yakimow
Town Manager
What is Prop 68?
The Town’s Aquatics and Recreation Project was made possible through a grant included in Prop 68, the California Parks and Water Bond Act. Prop 68 provides assistance for drought, water, parks, climate, coastal protection, and outdoor access for government sponsored programs. California voters passed Prop 68 through a ballot measure in 2018. The Town of Yucca Valley is thankful for California State Assemblyman Chad Mayes, who secured the funding opportunity for this project through Prop 68.
Aquatics & Recreation Center Webpage
The Town of Yucca Valley created a webpage for the Aquatics & Recreation Center.
Be sure to check it out for updates on the project!
For the overall aesthetic of the building, the design recognizes the inherent attraction of water in the desert, with the Aquatics Center providing a sleek counterpoint to the rugged beauty of the surrounding topography.
Key Design Elements
Key design elements of the floor plan include a 12,500 square foot indoor aquatics center, a 9,500 square foot gymnasium, wet activity and multipurpose activity spaces, service and administrative offices and support and operations facilities.
A key factor for design includes consideration of the local climate with eco-friendly architecture. The building will incorporate energy efficient strategies through the use of natural evaporative cooling, thermal mass materials to conserve heat in Winter and cool in Summer, night ventilation, cooling fans and dehumidification technology.
Project Workflow
Since the award of the design contract to HMC Architects on January 18 2022, Yucca Valley Town staff, the project management and architecture teams have been working diligently to complete the design of the Aquatics and Recreation Center. On June 21, 2022, the Yucca Valley Town Council reviewed and approved the schematic design for the Center.
This milestone in the project represents what programs the building will accommodate, where the building is located, what it will consist of, and what the building will look like.
To create 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 Aquatics and Recreation Center will also integrate with existing recreational facilities at Brehm Park to maximize and enhance the experience of residents at both facilities.
Town staff walked the Town Council through the Schematic Design package presentation and took questions, comments and input as desired by the public and Council. The project team is currently involved in the next Design Development stage of the project process, which includes room by room configuration.
Town Council received 13 bids for the project’s design, with HMC ultimately being recommended as the best fit for the Town by the Town’s Evaluation Committee.
“HMC Architects’ local approach was clearly in line with our Town’s goals for the Aquatic and Recreation Center. HMC Architects + Aquatic Design Group have completed more indoor aquatic projects together than any team in Southern California,” says Town Manager Curtis Yakimow.
As stated in the Request for Proposal (RFP), HMC Architects’ five main priorities are maintaining the project’s budget, adhering to a timely schedule, improving the health and wellness of Yucca Valley residents, creating an iconic building reflective of Yucca Valley, and minimizing operational costs through sustainable architecture.
Learn more about the industry-leading design firm, HMC Architects, who Yucca Valley selected to lead this project.
"Founded with the purpose of anticipating community needs, HMC aims to create designs that have a positive impact now and into the future. As a 100 percent employee-owned firm, we focus primarily on opportunities to have the most direct contribution to communities–through healthcare, education, and civic spaces."
The Town of Yucca Valley posts regular social media updates on the Aquatics & Recreation Center, as well as other ongoing developments and initiatives of interest to the community.
