🚨 Call to Action: Swimmers, Coaches & Community — Please Take the Survey and Support Option B

The City of Monterey Park has released a community survey requesting input on three conceptual design options for the future Barnes Park Pool. This is a critical moment: early design choices will determine what this facility can realistically support for decades to come.

🗓 Survey deadline: February 17, 2026
🔗 Official survey: BARNES PARK POOL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SURVEY   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y62PZ8B

Why We Are Advocating for Option B

🟩 Option B: 50-Meter Competition Pool + 25-Yard Recreation Pool   (Option B is recommended by Coach Ish Perez, Coach Li (1988 Olympian Medalist), Coach David (ref. - FB), and Water Aerobics members)

      Option B is the only option that preserves a full 50-meter competition pool while still providing a separate recreation pool for community use. This matters because:

•   A 50-meter pool is an irreversible decision — once removed, it cannot realistically be added back 
•   It supports programs for seniors, physical therapy, and water aerobics
•   It is essential for Mark Keppel High School to sustain its historic swimming legacy
•   It supports CIF-compliant swimming, water polo, and diving programs, as outlined in the adopted     User Requirement Specification (URS) Rev. 3a
•  Recreation and play elements can be expanded or enhanced over time

Former athletes, coaches, and swimmers have made it clear: training at 50 meters is not a luxury — it is foundational to opportunity, safety, and long-term program viability.

  
Why Option A Is a Compromise That Falls Short

🟦 Option A: Diluted Outcomes Across the Board - this is compromised planning 

      Option A attempts to include many elements, but in doing so weakens all of them:

• A 40-meter pool does not meet long-course competition standards
• The splash pad is undersized and conflicts with the Parks System Master Plan, which identifies George Elder Park as the appropriate location for expanded splash and family water play
• The competition pool is not sufficient to support MKHS swim, water polo, and diving programs at a CIF level
• Key aquatic features identified in the URS are only partially implemented

This option sacrifices long-term athletic and programmatic viability without delivering a truly robust recreation solution.

 Considerations for Option C

🟨 Option C Requires Major Modifications

      Option C could only function equitably if a second bulkhead is added, allowing true separation between competition, recreation, water polo, diving, and water aerobics. Without this, program access would be severely constrained.

Additionally, the consultant should provide a transparent, apples-to-apples cost offset analysis — including capital costs, operations, staffing, and long-term maintenance — to allow the community to make a fully informed decision.

 
Our Call to the Community

We invite swimmers, parents, coaches, alumni, and community stakeholders to take part in the survey and advocate for Option B—one that preserves a full 50-meter pool and includes water polo and diving features consistent with URS Rev. 3a.

This is not a debate about athletics versus families. Barnes Park Pool must serve both — today and for generations to come.

The real question is:   What core infrastructure must be preserved now, knowing some features can be added later — but others, once lost, are gone forever?

📣 What to Do When You Take the Survey

     ✔ Select Option B
     ✔ Share the survey with swimmers, parents, alumni, and community groups
     ✔ Add this comment in the survey comment section ⬇️   “Please support Option B with full incorporation of water polo and diving features consistent with the adopted User Requirement Specification (URS) Rev. 3a.”

Your participation right now will directly influence the future of Barnes Park Pool.

💙 Let’s build a facility worthy of Monterey Park’s legacy — and its future.

If there are any suggestion or recommendations - please contact us at " SGVPUB520@gmail.com" along with your contact information. 

— Save Barnes Park Pool

Reference: User Requirement Specification (URS) Rev. 3a (This bases of design was provided to Dahlin (city design consultant, city staff, and city council for reference) 

The User Requirement Specification (URS) Rev. 3a is a community-authored planning document developed by Barnes Park swimmers, seniors, water aerobics participants, coaches, Olympians, and engineers. It defines the functional, safety, and program requirements for the Barnes Park Pool, including a full 50-meter competition pool, a separate 25-yard warm-up/recreation pool, and dedicated water polo and diving features to support CIF programs, inclusive community use, and long-term operational flexibility.