Richardson officials adopted the final draft of the Richardson Aquatics Master Plan during the council meeting after staff summarized changes and explained three alternatives for future pool investments and amenities.

Parks staff summarized options C1, C2 and C3, highlighting changes made since the last briefing. All options call for a refresh of the Heights Family Aquatic Center and for spray grounds at Cottonwood and Terrace; the differences focus on which existing pools are refreshed versus converted and whether new indoor facilities are added. Option C1 keeps Canyon Creek as either a spray ground or a refreshed pool and adds an outdoor community pool at Apollo; option C2 is identical but makes Polo Road an indoor/outdoor pool; option C3 adds an indoor pool and a 30,000‑square‑foot recreation center at Breckenridge (staff noted the recreation center capital cost is separate from aquatics operations and that operating cost/revenue projections in the plan cover aquatics only).

Key figures and clarifications: Staff said the higher construction cost estimate for a Canyon Creek spray ground is roughly $2,500,000 while a Canyon Creek pool refresh was estimated about $1,800,000; staff explained that operating cost recovery differs between options because an indoor/outdoor pool requires year‑round operation and higher operating expenses.

Why it matters: The plan sets a multi‑year strategy to renovate the Heights facility before the 2026 season and to prioritize other sites for future capital and bond consideration. Staff said final funding strategies for Heights will be refined in FY 2025 and FY 2026.

Council action: The plan was adopted on the consent agenda after council discussion. Council approved the plan 6–1; Councilmember Ernesto Barrios voted no and explained he could not support adoption because he believed the comparative data used to justify leaving Canyon Creek as an option was not presented on an equivalent basis to other sites. Staff and other councilmembers said the plan incorporates feedback and that some issues (funding sequencing and final site designs) will return as staff develops implementation steps.

What’s next: Staff will finalize funding strategies for the Heights Aquatic Center in FY 2025–26 with the stated goal of completing renovations before the 2026 season. The adopted plan will guide capital‑budget prioritization and future bond considerations.