Balboa Park Pool Shuts Down For Year-Long Renovation

Balboa Park Pool Shuts Down For Year-Long RenovationAn architectural rendering of the new pool, from a community presentation in May 2015. (Photo: SF Rec & Park)
Will Carruthers
Published on November 02, 2016

The Balboa Pool is now officially closed for a year-long makeover, with construction kicking off yesterday, October 31st, according to an announcement from the Recreation and Parks Department.

The pool is located within Balboa Park, a 21-acre park that also boasts baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a children's play area, and a skate park. The project will include renovations of the pool and pool building (including a seismic retrofit), the potential addition of an 800-square-foot multi-purpose space, and related site improvements. 

With a price tag of $10.7 million, the renovation project will be funded through a combination of funds from the 2012 Clean & Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond and a housing grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Balboa Park's basketball courts will also be closed for the duration of construction, serving as a staging area for the project.

“SF Rec & Park has done extensive outreach working closely with the community during the planning process for the Balboa Pool renovation, and we appreciate how involved and supportive the community has been,” said Rec & Park general manager Phil Ginsburg.

“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. “We look forward to celebrating the newly improved Balboa Pool.”

The Balboa Pool is one of nine public swimming pools in San Francisco, and the only public pool in District 11. To minimize disruptions to local swimmers, the Garfield Pool and Rossi Pool won't receive planned upgrades until after construction on the Balboa Pool is completed next fall. 

Until them, Balboa Pool programs will be held at other pools during construction, and the Mission Pool, which typically closes in the winter, will remain open to accommodate swimmers.