$10.7 Million San Francisco Public Pools Upgrade To Begin At Balboa Park

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Starting this week, San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department will begin a multi-million dollar project to upgrade three of the city's nine public pools, department officials announced on Monday.

The first of the three to undergo renovations will be Balboa Pool at Balboa Park, located in the city' Mission Terrace neighborhood at 51 Havelock St., according to recreation and parks officials.

The 100 foot by 40 foot Balboa Pool currently features six lanes and is one of the city's most popular public pools.

The renovations will cost $10.7 million and will upgrade the pool building, a new community room, and additional improvements.

The project is being funded by the voter-supported 2012 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Park Bond in addition to a housing grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

"Balboa Park and Pool have always been a community hub for our residents, and the pool most certainly is in need of upgrades," District 11 Supervisor John Avalos said in a statement.

The renovation of Balboa Pool is estimated to be complete by Fall of 2017. After that, the Garfield Pool is slated for an $11 million renovation and the Rossi Pool is slated for an $8.2 million renovation.

The city plans to do the projects one at a time to keep as many pools open as possible for recreational use.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News Service contributed to this report.