May 8, 2023

Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) is seeking public feedback for a new, state-of-the-art Aquatics Center that was announced last March. CARD has hired Confluence, a professional consulting firm comprised of landscape architects, urban designers, and planners, to lead and manage the project. Confluence will be at the Chico Thursday Night Market on May 11th, and the Saturday Farmer’s Market on May 13th to receive public feedback about the new aquatics center.

Confluence’s team is experienced with designing aquatics facilities that deliver unique “watertainment” experiences for all ages. With public input, Confluence will design an Aquatics Center with sustainable operations and thoughtfully configured amenities for long-lasting fun and durability. This new aquatic center will bring extraordinary recreation opportunities and safety benefits to the Chico community for decades to come.

“We are thrilled to be working with CARD and engaging the community in the exciting process of imagining and realizing this tremendous new recreation amenity,” said Confluence senior principal Terry Berkbuegler. “These generational projects are core components of a community’s quality of life, and we take great pride in the role we play in guiding the process and creating places full of life where memories will be made for generations.”

CARD encourages the public to stop by the CARD booth at the Thursday and Saturday markets to give input on the new aquatics center. CARD will be announcing future meetings and opportunities for the public to provide input that will help inform the features and amenities of the Aquatics Center. The design phase of this project will likely last 10–12 months.

“What kinds of amenities are important to our community? What kind of accessibility features are needed? Do people want waterslides? What other recreational opportunities can be included?” said CARD general manager Annabel Grimm. “This is, first and foremost, the Chico community’s aquatics center, and we encourage the public to give their input. Our hope is to meet as many community needs and wants as reasonably possible. To do this, we need to hear from every type of user in the community.”

Confluence will be working with aquatic design partner Water Technology, Inc. (WTI), BRS Architecture, and Ballard*King Associates to develop operational plans and revenue models for the new facility.

The new aquatics center is expected to open in fall 2025.

For more information, visit ChicoRec.com and follow CARD on Facebook and @ChicoRec on Instagram.

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About Chico Area Recreation and Park District

Founded in 1948, the Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) is a California Special District focused on creating recreational opportunities that bring friends and families together to have fun and build lasting memories. CARD manages and cares for more than 12 community and neighborhood parks, four community centers, one swimming pool, the Chico Creek Nature Center, and other facilities. The PLAY Activity Guide highlights the numerous sports, classes, camps, special events, and more CARD offers. Learn more about CARD at www.ChicoRec.com.