City of Newton, MA
Home MenuGath Memorial Pool Renovation Project
Location:
256 Albemarle Road
Newtonville, MA 02460
Overall Project Goals:
Gath Pool is Newton's sole public swimming pool serving 30,000 users each season. The facility is now over 60 years old with systems and equipment that is past its useful life and decks and infrastructure which do not meet ADA or MAAB accessibility requirements. This multi-year, multi-phase initiative to preserve, restore, and rehabilitate the City's only swimming pool facility began with an initial phase to study the existing conditions and needs for the site, a second phase to complete the design work, and a third phase to complete its construction.
Overall Funding To Date:
$6,379,862 Newton CPA Funds Allocated to Project Phases I, II, and III
$1,200,000 Additional CPA Funding Recommended, September 2023
$99,700 City Staff Time to oversee and manage this phase of the project
$400,000 Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Earmark
$1,000,000 City of Newton ARPA Funds
$9,079,562 Total Current Project Funding
Phase III Goals:
In this third phase of the project, Newton's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is requesting funding to complete the construction and renovation work necessary to complete the new pool facility, splash pad, and bathhouse.
Phase III Funding:
$5,834,362 Newton CPA Funds Approved
$1,200,000 Additional CPA Funding Requested September 2023
$400,000 Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Earmark
$1,000,000 City of Newton ARPA Funds
$39,200 City Staff Time to oversee and manage this phase of the project
$8,473,562 Total Current Project Phase Funding
Funding Process:
January 20, 2023 - Pre-Proposal submitted for construction funding to complete the project.
February 14, 2023 - Letters of Support and Comments received by February 14 meeting.
February 14, 2023 - Pre-Proposal presentation made at CPC meeting. Committee votes to invite applicant to submit a full proposal for further review.
February 17, 2023 - Full Proposal submitted for public hearing at March 14 CPC meeting. Included with the application are:
- A potential future solar shade area plan
- A memo on the Sustainable Attributes of the new Gath Pool Design
- The presentation made to the Committee at the February 14 meeting (see above).
March 14, 2023 - Project Presentation reviewed the pool designs and discussed the review process at the Public Hearing, after which the CPC unanimously votes to recommend full funding of the project through bonding. Also submitted for review at this time were the following updated materials:
- Updated Set of Pool and Bathhouse Plans
- Geotechnical Report for the Project
- Site Plan Review Memo
- Lap Pool Depth Study
March 31, 2023 - Letter from the Design Review Committee on their review and approval of the 100% Schematic Design and Site Plan Review
April 14, 2023 - CPC Recommendation for full funding of the project sent to City Council for their review and approval.
June 5, 2023 - City Council Order approving full funding of the project and 30 year bond authorization
August 18, 2023 - Gath Pool Project Funding Amendment submitted for additional funding for Phase III Construction. The Amendment will be discussed at a public hearing on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
September 8, 2023 - Letter of Support from the Friends of Albemarle for the additional funding
September 12, 2023 - Public Hearing on additional project funding. CPC unanimously votes to recommend an additional $1.2 million in CPA Recreation funds be added to the previous 30 year bond approval.
Contacts:
Luis Perez Demorizi, Open Space Coordinator
Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department
246 Dudley Road
Newton, MA 02459
Rafik Ayoub, Project Manager
Public Buildings Department
52 Eliot Street
Newton, MA 02461
Nicole Banks, Commissioner
Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department
246 Dudley Road
Newton, MA 02459
Josh Morse, Commissioner
Public Buildings Department
52 Eliot Street
Newton, MA 02461
Phase II Project:
In this second phase of the project, Newton's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is requesting funding to continue developing the pool design and complete all permitting processes and construction drawings in order to make this a shovel-ready project.
Funding:
$486,500 Newton CPA Funds Requested
$39,200 City Staff Time to oversee and manage this phase of the project
$525,700 Total Current Project Funding Requested
Funding Process:
May 20, 2022 - Pre-Proposal submitted for additional funding to complete design work, permitting and construction documents. Supporting documents submitted with the pre-proposal include the following:
- Project Highlights
- Schematic Design for New Gath Pool
- Schematic Design Narrative - Basis of Design
- Code Compliance Information
- Bather Load and Fixture Quantities Computations for Proposed Pool
- Proposal for Design Services
- Programming Information
June 6, 2022 - Letter of Support received from Friends of Albemarle
June 14, 2022 - Pre-Proposal presentation was given by Parks, Recreation and Culture Department staff. The CPC unanimously voted to invite the applicant to submit a full proposal.
June 15, 2022 - Letter of Support Received from Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department's "Over 55" Programs
June 24, 2022 - Full Proposal submitted for review at a public hearing on July 12, 2022.
July 12, 2022 - Following the Project Presentation, the CPC unanimously voted to recommend full funding of the project. The funding recommendation will be sent to the City Council for review and approval.
August 17, 2022 - CPA Funding Recommendation docketed with the City Council for their review and approval.
September 19, 2022 - City Council Order issued with approval for full funding as recommended of Phase II.
Phase I Project:
Newton's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department (PRC) worked with the Public Buildings Department and the Friends of Albemarle to complete an existing conditions study of the Gath Pool facility that included a robust examination of existing conditions and developed annotated improvements along with costs for a phased renovation of both the main and wading pools. At the same time, the PRC also worked with other City departments and stakeholders to identify other needs and alternative options for the facility.
Funding:
$59,000 Newton CPA Funds
$21,300 City Staff Time to oversee and manage feasibility study
$80,300 Total Project Funding
Phase I Funding Process:
February 18, 2021 - Pre-Proposal submitted for discussion with CPC at their March 9, 2021 regular meeting
February 2021 - Compilation of all of the Letters of Support submitted for this project prior to the pre-proposal discussion.
March 9, 2021 - Pre-Proposal presentation to CPC at regular meeting. Project applicants are invited to submit a full proposal for further review.
March 26, 2021 - Full Proposal submitted for review at the April 13 meeting. Included with the application materials are:
- Letter of Support from Mayor Fuller
- Cover Letter from Commissioner Banks
- Map of Gath Pool area
- Draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for project consultants
April 13, 2021 - Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department gives project presentation during CPC's public hearing on the funding proposal. CPC then voted to recommend full funding of the project as submitted.
May 17, 2021 - After being approved by both the Programs and Services and Finance Committees, City Council Order issued approving the project funding.
FY05-FY06 New Amenities Project
Goals
Accommodate new users, especially young children and seniors, by providing a shade structure, benches, fully accessible drinking fountains, additional grab bars for shower areas, and non-slip flooring for locker rooms and public passage areas.
Funding
| $122,475 | CPA funds appropriated, including $1,600 for services from City of Newton Law Dept. |
Proposal Review & Appropriations
- 15 October 2004 - Proposal, with letters of support
- 27 April 2005 - CPC funding recommendation
- 20 June 2005 - Board order (appropriation), for project costs
- 8 August 2005 - Board order (appropriation), for City of Newton legal services