CHICO, Calif.—The Chico Area Recreation & Park District (CARD) has officially broken ground on the city’s future Aquatics & Recreation Center, a major step toward delivering a year-round hub for recreation, fitness, and community connection.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held Thursday, Aug. 21 at 13365 Garner Lane, marked the beginning of a transformational project that CARD leaders say will redefine recreation in Chico for generations to come.
“This is a once-in-a-generation moment,” says Annabel Grimm, CARD general manager. “For years, our community has imagined a place where families can swim, play, grow, and connect year-round. Thanks to the passion, commitment, and generosity of so many, that vision is finally becoming reality.”
The state-of-the-art facility will feature three pools, including a 50-meter Olympic-sized pool with a Hi-Fly slide, a year-round indoor leisure pool, and an outdoor activity pool. In addition to aquatic amenities, the center will offer fitness rooms, multi-purpose community spaces, and programming for all ages, making it a cornerstone of wellness and recreation in the region.
The land for the project was donated by Chico philanthropists Ken Grossman and Katie Gonser, while a $6 million grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, through the California State Parks and National Park Service, provided crucial funding. The City of Chico also played a key role in advancing the project.
Construction is already underway, led by local contractor Slater & Son, Inc. Site grading and excavation for two of the pools and the mechanical building are complete, with concrete work in progress.
“We are honored to be part of a project that will serve our hometown for decades to come,” says Brandon Slater, president of Slater & Son. “My kids and I can’t wait to launch off the Hi-Fly slide into the 50-meter Olympic pool.”
The design and planning team includes Confluence, Water Technologies Inc., Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, Rolls Anderson & Rolls, and Ballard King & Associates.
