The Monterey Sports Center reopens its indoor pools after two months of renovation

City of Monterey Parks and Recreation Department director Karen Larson doesn’t seem like a person that’s used to being quiet. And on June 1—her last day before entering retirement—she and her team made sure that the pool at the Monterey Sports Center was anything but. 

MSC staff held a free admission day to commemorate the 33rd anniversary since the facility opened to the public. But this occasion also marked the reopening of the pool after two months of renovations. By 12:30pm dozens of kids and parents were walking into the natatorium—a building for an indoor pool or multiple pools—bathing suits, goggles and towels in tow.

“It’s definitely a family favorite,” says Elisabeth Selbicky who walked past a face-painting booth with her 7-year-old daughter Scarlett with bathing suits on. “[The pool] is such a benefit to our community. The slide is one of our favorites.”

Besides free admission and the pool reopening, the event also included a barbecue and free music on the sun deck, snack vendors, a hula dance lesson and a Zumba Hawaiian-themed dance party. 

Renovations to the pool facility included a complete replacement of the pool’s deck and coping, installation of a new large digital clock for lap swimming, a new dehumidifier system for the natatorium and replastering the two pools.

Further upgrades are also in the works and expected to be completed in the coming weeks, which include a new state-of-the-art cycling studio and new saunas on the natatorium floor.

The cycling studio has been moved downstairs and features new lighting, a new sound system, and up to 26 exercise bikes for daily spin classes.

According to the Monterey Sports Center Manager Bill Rothschild, the renovations were long-needed to continue to serve nearly 3,000 people on a busy day, rounding out to about 1 million visitors each year.

“We’ve had three major events in our history,” says Rothschild. The first was when we opened June 1, 1992, the second was when we did our major expansion in 2002 and then today.”

Programs that the Sports Center supports include health and fitness for seniors and children, leagues and camps and swim lessons. But for Rothschild and Larson, the facility provides the essential “third space” for people to socialize and remain healthy.

“It’s a fantastic place for people to have a sense of community and gather with their family and friends,” Larson says. “People are excited to come back.”