The existing Miramonte High School pool, soon to undergo Phase 1 renovations beginning June 1, including resurfacing, deck and tile work, and upgrades to lighting and the scoreboard structure as part of the long-planned overhaul of the Bill Brown Aquatic Center.
The Miramonte pool will finally get the hammer on June 1. After years of planning and delays caused by budgetary challenges, a contractor has been secured to begin Phase 1 of the renovation project.
The Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD) is moving forward on the project despite ongoing challenges with funding. Community donations and support are needed if the Bill Brown Aquatic Center is to get the upgrades the community desires.
In January, the AUHSD Board approved Waterworks Industries’ $2.5 million bid for Phase 1. The first and only bid received for the initial plan, a broader renovation, was rejected late last year, having come in over twice AUHSD’s budgeted $2.1 million.
Rising construction costs, necessary repairs on a high demand facility, and a limited timeframe forced the district to divide the pool renovation into two phases.
AUHSD Director of Facilities Tommy Rodriguez said Phase 1 will include the pool plaster, deck and tile work, overhead lighting and scoreboard structure; and Phase 2 will include the locker rooms and ADA compliant bathrooms.
Phase 1 is anticipated to take approximately three to four months.
The pool renovation project is just one example of the challenges AUHSD faces in maintaining its five campus facilities with a very limited budget.
Nick Carpenter, AUHSD assistant superintendent of business services, provided an overview of the various funding sources for facility improvement: state matching funds, state entitlement funds, general obligation bonds and developer fee for new construction and expansion.
It’s a continuous juggling act between campus needs, project prioritization and approval processes and deadlines, in addition to the availability or access to these funds, future funds or potential funds.
Time also plays a key factor in getting projects under way.
Like other proposed public school facility construction projects, the Miramonte pool renovation underwent Division of the State Architect (DSA) plan review and approval, obtaining approval in 2023. Since DSA approvals require proposed construction projects to begin within four years of the approval date, Phase 2 will need to start in 2027.
According to Carpenter, funds for Phase 1 of the Miramonte Pool renovation will come from matching funds from the state for previous capital projects. In addition, aquatic facility rental fees collected from community users will also be used toward the renovation.
Miramonte’s pool has been renovated with bond funds before.
Rodriguez said the last time the Miramonte pool was renovated was in 2002, nearly 25 years ago, with funds from Measure A. The project was completed in 2002 and dedicated as the Bill Brown Aquatic Center.
That project included demolition of the original pools constructed in 1958 and the construction of a new pool, a new pool equipment building and a new pool deck.
The district will be funding the pool and pool deck renovation, but there are needs, upgrades and improvements that won’t be covered by district funds. These items have been identified through discussions and surveys of the community, items Miramonte students, athletes, coaches and other Miramonte pool users and visitors would benefit from, including upgraded lighting, scoreboard, paint, blocks and windscreens.
The more significant items (lights and scoreboard) require electrical and other upgrades that can only be made with DSA approval – making it necessary to find the funds for these updates immediately.
To address the shortfall in funding improvements to Miramonte’s athletic facilities and programs, the Miramonte Boosters launched MatsFund in 2025. The first MatsFund campaign is the pool renovation, and has so far raised over $110,000 of its $600,000 goal.
This is not the first time the community has had to raise funds for the Miramonte pool. The first pool was partially funded through See’s Candies’ sales from the first graduating classes.