By: Veronica Haggar and Alyssa Lamp
The Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District continues in its development plans of making much needed improvements to the Swim & Racquet Center.
Some of the new changes that guests will be able to enjoy at the new facility include multi-purpose rooms to accommodate summer camp programs, first aid training, and community meetings. Additionally, there will be improved locker rooms and restrooms, a tennis pro shop, increased parking availability, and a toddler-friendly pool.
More amenities will include ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) restrooms, improved facilities, a splash pad, and covered picnic areas.
The budget includes $2,775,000 for the whole project.
According to Boca Raton architect, Douglas Mummaw, the new center will have a classic design with a Mediterranean look.
The original Chuck’s Steakhouse building is being demolished and a new community center is being built in its place.
“The tennis center is being remodeled and extended,” said Mummaw. “We are also constructing a new maintenance office and groundskeeping building.”
During construction, members and guests will still have access to some parts of the center.
“Some parts will be closed during certain phases of construction, but for the most part we plan to keep as much of the center open as possible,” said Mummaw.
The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District’s Assistant Director, Briann Harms, said the additions to the center will cause no change in the membership fee. The membership for residents will remain $25.00 for children, $85.00 for adults, $108.00 for couples, and $127.00 for families for the swim center only. Other prices can be found on the Swim and Racquet Center’s website page.
Mummaw discussed how there are still discussions going on about how the board plans to maximize the buildings to their full potential. There have not been any major changes since the original plan besides some small details. The main problem the board faced was the painting of the building.
Two options were put on the board. Option A “includes a soft palate, some tans, some terracotta’s, with coquina detailing,” Mummaw said. “If you drive around our community these are formal, recognized attributes.” Option B is a slightly more dramatic design which would consist of richer terracotta and brown articulated tile. Mummaw presented the options to the board for their opinion of what they preferred more. The board was worried that Via Verde would not approve of the tile on the front side of the building. However, many members told Mummaw he should completely take off the tile and present that to Via Verde, then go back later and maybe add the tile.
Other members are concerned though due to the back-and-forth nature of possibly removing and then putting back on the tile, where they believe it will take more time to get things done. This is due to some wanting the construction to get done at a reasonable time.
Construction on the redesigns to the Swim & Racquet Center will likely start in November and last up to a year.