2022 Ground breaking planned for new South Lake Tahoe aquatics and recreation center

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Final plans on the new South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center are getting close and City Council was given a presentation on the status and timeline during it meeting Tuesday.

Planners and architects involved in the project have been meeting with stakeholders and the community, asking what is important to them to have in the new 60,000-square-foot hub of activity. More outreach is planned before final plans are created before the end of 2021.

Lake Tahoe has been a place to gather and restore for thousands of years, and many express the desire to have the same concept with not only the 56-acre project where the recreation and aquatics center will be located, but also inside its doors.

The Mission Statement of the South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Aquatics Center is "to be both a recreation hub for residents and a destination for visitors with flexible spaces which compliment existing recreational opportunities in the community."

The lodging community was behind the new center and the passing of Measure P in 2016 since their guests are paying for it through a tax on nights stayed in motels, hotels and vacation home rentals. In November 2016, South Lake Tahoe voters passed Measure P, a citywide increase of the transient occupancy tax (TOT) by 2 percent with funds earmarked for a new recreation complex. Hotel tax was raised to 12 percent in most of the city and 14 percent in the redevelopment area, with the two percent earmarked for the recreation center.

Many of their guests expressed a desire for a swim center for meets and a gym for basketball tournaments as an added amenity in South Lake Tahoe. To date, approximately $12.5M has been raised for the new center through this tax. Estimated cost for the new center is $48M. The room taxes, which are over $2M per year, will be used to pay for it.

In the plans presented Tuesday, the team at JK Architecture Engineering (JKAE) shared conceptual plans for aquatics with a six-lane lap pool and activity pool, fitness program areas, multi-generational community program areas, and support spaces. In progress are enhanced sustainability features, floor plan concepts and program understanding, kitchen development with County nutrition staff, and site plan development in coordination with the 56-acre master plan.

Two sites are being considered for the new center, one in the existing location and the other on Lake Tahoe Boulevard with views of the lake. A roof-top event center is being considered for the new development for both wedding and event rentals, but also senior and other public uses. It would be cheaper for the project to be built on the new lake view site and shared parking with the library would be used.

The City is in negotiations with El Dorado County at this time to work out the whole 56-acre area since the county owns most of the land (44 acres).

Preliminary programs in the new center:

Aquatics programs - competitive swim, water volleyball, board yoga, inner tube water polo, deep water aerobics, kayak classes, special needs, learn to swim, high altitude training, inflatable obstacles, pre-school and parent play, water exercise, diving and aerial training, special events, pool parties, physical therapy.

Fitness programs - Pickleball, Jazzercise, basketball, Zumba, senior exercise, volleyball, kiddie kickers, yoga, badminton, Futsal, martial arts, virtual fitness, personal training, Boys & Girls Club, trade shows, sports clubs, connect outdoor fitness to 56-acre plans.

Multi-generational community programs - Senior nutrition, special events, art classes, senior activities, specialty classes, community meetings, Boys & Girls Club, educational classes, seminars, community rentals

Support spaces - Welcome desk, locker rooms, administration, universal changing roos, restrooms, building support and storage.

For the full presentation and photos, visit HERE.