PROS Commission Special Meeting - August 31, 2026

The Park, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Commission held a special meeting on August 31, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Walnut Creek City Hall Council Chamber. All five commissioners were present. The meeting focused on two main agenda items: the future planning of the Clark Pool parcel at Heather Farm and approval of naming rights for amenities at the new aquatic center. Commissioners voted to delay the Clark parcel planning to combine it with the General Plan 2050 update, creating a comprehensive Heather Farm Master Plan, while requesting staff to expedite the timeline. Naming rights for 12 donated amenities were approved with two names sent back for clarification on formatting.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (June 1, 2026): The commission unanimously approved the minutes from the June 1, 2026 regular meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Heather Farm New Aquatic and Community Center (NAQCC) Phase 3 Planning Options: Chris Farrell, Director of Arts and Recreation, presented two options for the Clark Pool property (approximately three acres) after the new pool opens and the old pool is demolished. Option 1 would proceed immediately with a consultant (using the already-appropriated $250,000) to develop a plan solely for the Clark parcel, allowing implementation by fall 2028. Option 2 would delay the Clark planning to align with the city's General Plan 2050 process, using its public outreach data to inform a broader Heather Farm Master Plan (including the Clark parcel, equestrian center, tennis center, and other amenities), with implementation expected around 2029—approximately 1.5 years later. Commissioners expressed interest in leveraging the General Plan process but wanted to minimize delays. They discussed a hybrid approach: supporting Option 2 if the timeline could be expedited through early coordination with General Plan consultants.
• Heather Farm Aquatic Center Amenity Naming Approvals: Chris Farrell presented a list of 12 donor naming rights secured by the Aquatics Foundation as part of a $3 million fundraising agreement with the city council. Names include the Rec Pool, Competition Pool, changing rooms, classroom, lane captain designations, and benches. Some names will be on donor walls, others on the amenities themselves. Commissioner Oller noted formatting inconsistencies for two names: "JP Jim King" (men's changing room) and "James R. DeLacy, JD" (lane captain), questioning whether brackets for nicknames/degrees were used consistently. Commissioners requested clarification from the donors to establish a uniform format.

Key Outcomes

• Motion on NAQCC Phase 3 Planning (Option 2 with expedited timeline): Commissioner Garland moved to support Preparation of a Heather Farm Master Plan, relying on General Plan 2050 data as much as possible, and requesting staff to expedite the information gathering from General Plan consultants. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). Staff will report back at the October PROS meeting on whether the General Plan consultants can provide data on an accelerated schedule. If not, the commission may revisit the approach.
• Naming Rights Approval (conditional): The commission approved all 12 naming rights, with the exception of the two names with formatting questions (James R. DeLacy, JD and JP Jim King). Staff will clarify the intended presentation with the donors and report back for final approval. The vote was unanimous (5-0).
• Construction Update: Secretary Vickers reported progress on the new aquatic center and community center: both pools are excavated with utilities being installed; the community center slab is nearly complete; steel beams are expected to begin installation by late September or early October. A two-week delay from May rains occurred, but the contractor expects to stay on schedule after enclosure.