Answers to yourFrequently Asked Questions
The Walnut Creek Aquatic Foundation (WCAF) is leading a $3 million fundraising campaign in partnership with the City of Walnut Creek, as outlined in a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This campaign will help ensure the new Aquatic Center at Heather Farm includes enhanced features that meet the needs of the community and local aquatics programs.
The City of Walnut Creek is funding 100% of the new Community Center and more than 90% of the cost of the new Aquatic Center. WCAF is contributing $3 million, accounting for less than 10% of the total Aquatic Center cost, to specifically support the construction of a 50-meter Competition Pool. The City’s original plan, dating back a decade, called for a smaller 25-meter pool. WCAF’s investment ensures that the new facility will better serve competitive swimming and community needs.
The existing Clarke Swim Center, built in the 1970s, has reached the end of its useful life. It requires significant upgrades to meet current health, safety, and accessibility standards. The new Aquatic Center will offer modern amenities, improved energy efficiency, and facilities that better serve users of all ages and abilities.
Measure O is a 10-year, half-cent local sales tax approved by Walnut Creek voters in November 2022 with 65% support. It generates approximately $11-13 million annually to fund key city priorities, including the new Aquatics Center. Oversight is provided by an independent citizens’ committee to ensure transparency and accountability.
The new 50-meter pool will be able to host local and regional events such as the All City Meet, conference championships, other smaller swim meets and water polo competition, as well as the annual Aquanut show. However, to ensure that the 50-meter pool has an area shallow enough so that users of all ages and abilities can enjoy it, the pool is not designed to be "all deep" and therefore will not accommodate larger swim meets and water polo championships.
The WCAF fundraising campaign launched in spring 2025 and will continue for 5 years.
Donors can support the campaign in a variety of ways, including outright cash gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts of stock or securities, contributions from donor-advised funds, and planned gifts such as bequests or charitable trusts. WCAF is happy to work with donors to structure gifts that align with their philanthropic goals. Gifts and pledges can be made online on the WCAF website.
Campaign donors will be recognized in meaningful ways that reflect their level of support. Recognition opportunities include donor walls at the new facility, digital donor listings on the WCAF website, special acknowledgments at opening events, and naming opportunities within the center.
Gifts and pledges can be made online at https:/ /wcaquatics.org/donation/. If you are interested in gifting stock or securities, contributions from donor-advised funds, and planned gifts such as bequests or charitable trusts please contact Jim King, Chair of the WCAF Fundraising Committee, via email at jim@jpkingadvisors.com.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2027. The Clarke Swim Center will remain open during construction to ensure continued access to aquatics programs.
- 50-meter competition pool
- 25-short course meter recreation pool with lanes for swimming and a recreation area with beach
- entry & play structure
- Current channel for play and exercise
- 2 Diving Boards
- Areas for lounging and relaxing
- Benches
- Shade structures
Yes. The new Aquatic Center has been designed to accommodate current recreational and team programming while also including new features for users of all ages and abilities to enjoy. The WC Aquanuts, Aquabears, and Masters will continue to train at the new Aquatic Center alongside lesson participants, lap swimmers, aquatic exercisers, and recreational users.