Aquatic Center Filter & Pump Replacement Project

Update, May 15, 2026: Palm Desert Aquatic Center is Open!

The pool officially reopened on May 13, welcoming swimmers for lap swimming at 6 a.m., followed by water aerobics classes later that morning.

Renovations are now complete, with pump motors fully operational and both the pool and café approved by the Health Department following successful inspections.

The pool will close Saturday, May 16, for staff training as new lifeguards prepare to operate the splash pad, water slides, climbing wall, mini zip line, and inflatable features. Regular weekend operations resume Sunday, May 17.

The community is invited to attend the Memorial Day “Dive Back In” event on Monday, May 25. Admission will be $1 and includes access to all amenities. The event will feature the open café, free pastries, lawn games, library program sign-ups, a live DJ, prize giveaways, and more.

More information is available at pdpool.com.

Pump Room Renovation Project:

The pump room renovation project was initiated in 2024 due to aging equipment needed to operate the three pools at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center. The facility’s pumps, heaters, and filter tanks are all part of the aquatic center’s original construction, completed in 2011. In that time, the existing equipment has become degraded through use. In addition, new technologies have been developed that allow more energy-efficient operation of the swimming pools.

Following a public bid solicitation process, the City contracted Rogers, Stringer & McClelland, Inc. (RSM, Inc.) to design improvements to the Palm Desert Aquatic Center pump room. The scope of work for the project includes professional engineering and design services for project management, alternatives analysis development, preliminary engineering, aquatic, facility, and hardscape design, engineering design, and bidding support and construction engineering for:

Renovation of the pump room to include the following:

• Remove and replace three pool filtration systems
• Remove five heaters and replace them with four pool heaters
• Reconfigure the pump room to accommodate new equipment and optimize space

Since the contract initiation, RSM, Inc. provided a conceptual design of the renovation plans in December 2024 with an accompanying narrative providing insight into the design principles that guided the development of the project up to that point. In January 2024, City, YMCA, and RSM, Inc. staff met to discuss the project and review design development plans. With the completion of the final construction plans, RSM, Inc. is working with the Riverside County Health Department to receive plan approval.

City staff is developing a bid package that will be advertised on the City’s online bidding portal, OpenGov, in July 2025. A construction contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive bidder in September 2025. In addition, a quote for the new equipment is being provided for City Council approval at the upcoming August 28, 2025, City Council meeting. The equipment needed to complete the project has an 8- to 10-week lead time. This schedule allows the contractor to begin work as soon as possible, with equipment provided by the City. A full-facility closure is planned in November 2025, with the Aquatic Center being reopened in mid-2026.

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