Monroe Street Pool Improvements

The City of Carlsbad’s Monroe Street Pool, built in 1982, requires significant repairs and upgrades to remain operational and meet current health, safety and building codes.

After more than 40 years of service, the Monroe Street Pool closed in March 2025 for a major reconstruction project that will take about 18 months to complete. The pool is expected to remain closed through summer 2026.

Fall 2025 construction update

Take a look behind the scenes at the Monroe Street Pool project. The city is about one-third of the way through construction, with major improvements taking shape across the site.

About the project

On Jan. 14, 2025, the City Council approved the construction contract to renovate and replace the Monroe Street Pool.

The planned improvements include:

Larger pool: Larger and reconfigured pool with 50% more lanes.
Sound reduction: An 8-foot wall with metal gates along Monroe Street to reduce noise for the surrounding neighborhood.
Expanded deck: A larger pool deck with lockers and outdoor showers.
Renovated amenities: Updated locker rooms and more shade and bleachers.
Parking and access: A larger parking lot and new entrances, including an outdoor entrance that bypasses the locker rooms.
Reconfigured spaces: A redesigned lobby, new first aid and administration offices and a room that can be used for meetings and small gatherings like birthday parties.
Upgraded pool equipment: Replacement of tile, plaster, piping, deck, drainage, pumps and filters.
New buildings: A room for pool equipment with separate access for service vehicles so they don’t take up space in the parking lot and new family restrooms.
Sustainable energy: Replacement of the existing solar water heating system and installation of rooftop solar panels to generate electricity.
Storage improvements: Enhancement of equipment storage space.

Next steps

What to expect during construction

Construction will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Occasional Saturday work may occur).
Nearby residents may experience noise and construction vehicle traffic during work hours.
The pool is expected to reopen in summer 2026.
Alga Norte Aquatic Center will be open to serve the community during the Monroe Street Pool closure.

We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements and will work to minimize inconveniences as much as possible.

You can sign up to receive project email updates, and we will keep you updated on the pool's progress throughout construction.

Background

Design options
When the need for significant repairs and upgrades to the Monroe Street Pool was identified, the city developed three potential options for the project. The options were presented to the public in 2020 for feedback:

Option 1 focused on the bare minimum repairs needed to keep the pool operational and compliant with current health and safety codes. It addressed essential maintenance but did not include any expansion or modernization.
Option 2 proposed modernizing the existing pool facility without expanding its size. Improvements included updating the pool’s infrastructure, renovating locker rooms and making minor enhancements to the deck and surrounding areas.
Option 3 included expanding the pool’s size by 50% and incorporating modern amenities such as new shade structures, bleachers and a larger parking lot. This option also introduced sustainable energy features like rooftop solar panels and additional facilities to enhance the pool’s functionality and user experience.

After considering the three designs, estimated costs, construction timelines and other pros and cons, most community members who provided input favored Option 3. The City Council selected Option 3 as the preferred approach and directed staff to place the Monroe Street Pool project on the November 2022 election ballot.

Voter approval
Before moving forward with the selected design, the City Council needed to seek voter approval in accordance with Proposition H.

Proposition H
Proposition H is a Carlsbad-specific law passed by voters in 1982 to have more direct oversight of city spending on large construction projects. Under this law, certain projects that involve spending more than $1 million in general city funds must be approved by Carlsbad voters. General fund money comes mainly from the city's share of sales tax, property tax and the tax visitors pay on stays in hotels and vacation rentals.

Measure J
Because the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project was estimated to cost more than $1 million, the City Council placed a specific ballot measure—Measure J—on the November 2022 election ballot. Measure J asked Carlsbad voters to approve the use of city funds for the pool’s renovation and expansion. The measure specifically authorized the city to spend up to $24 million, adjusted annually by the regional construction cost index, for the project. Carlsbad voters approved Measure J, allowing the city to proceed with the project.

Public input

In 2020, the city gathered public input on three options for improving and expanding the Monroe Street Pool facility. After considering the three designs, estimated costs, construction timelines and other pros and cons, most community members who provided input favored Option 3. This feedback was used to help develop an approach for the project that that aligns with the community’s needs, values and priorities. The feedback was presented to the City Council to assist them in deciding how to proceed with the project.

The City Council directed staff to place the Monroe Street Pool project on the November 2022 election ballot due to a city law that requires certain improvements to real property costing more than $1 million in city funds to be approved by voters. Voters approved the ballot measure.

View the public input summary report and appendices.

Past actions

Jan. 14, 2025 | City Council

Approved a $14,126,653 construction contract with Edwards Construction Group to renovate and replace the Monroe Street Pool.
Approved a $563,800 agreement with Cumming Management Group to oversee and inspect the construction work.

Video recording

Sept. 10, 2024 | City Council

Approved the final plans, specifications and contract documents for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project.
Allocated $18,158,361 in construction funding and authorized the City Clerk to put the project out to bid for construction.

Video recording

Feb. 14, 2023 | City Council

Amended the agreement with the design firm LPA Inc. to develop the final design and construction plans and specifications for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project.

Video recording

June 21, 2022 | City Council

Placed a measure on the Nov. 8, 2022 general election ballot to approve funding for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project.

Video recording

April 26, 2022 | City Council

Directed staff to prioritize maintenance and repairs to keep the Monroe Street Pool facility operational until the project is ready to build.

Video recording

Feb. 22, 2022 | City Council

Deferred the timing of the ballot measure for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project.

Video recording

Jan. 26, 2021 | City Council

Selected design concept three for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project and directed staff to pursue placing an expenditure measure on the June 7, 2022 primary election ballot.

Video recording

April 9, 2019 | City Council

Authorized a $674,577 agreement with the design firm LPA Inc. for architectural and engineering design services for the Monroe Street Pool Renovation and Replacement Project.

Video recording

June 30, 2015 | City Council

Approved adding the Monroe Street Pool Renovation/Replacement Project to the fiscal year 2015-16 Capital Improvement Program as Project No. 4724.