MARINA >> The city of Marina is well on its way to transforming what were once Fort Ord Army Base buildings into a revitalized community fitness and recreation complex that its citizens have been asking about for years.

In March, the Marina City Council received an update on the design of the Marina Aquatic & Sports Complex which the public had a chance to review, comment and make suggestions on, at a public workshop in late April.

“The biggest takeaway is that pretty much the whole city is excited about the project, think its well-designed, and the city has sufficient funding to do this,” said Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado.

Located on 2nd Avenue to the east, 9th Street to the north, 8th Street to the south, and the VA/DoD clinic area to the west, the Aquatic & Sports Complex is next to the future Dunes City Park Project with the main buildings of the complex being the planned renovated aquatic center, renovated sports center and the addition of a connector building between the two. The complex and Dunes park area are being designed to compliment access for both.

Plans for the complex are currently on the move from the design development phase into the construction document phase.

“It is going through schematic design approval,” said Delgado. “Final design and bidding process will ensue … construction is expected to start May 2026, and doors could be open by mid-2027 for health and frolicking.”

The estimated cost for the project is $41.1 million and funded from different sources including $18.4 million in current balance from the Fort Ord Reuse Authority Dissolution Fund.

“Funding for this project will come from funds that must be spent on former Fort Ord to demolish or improve abandoned army properties,” explained Delgado. “These include FORA bond funds, FORA Escrow bond funds, their interest and the former FORA community facilities district fees that are paid by only the Dunes and Sea Haven developments.”

At a City Council meeting last November, the governing body approved moving forward with finalizing designs, coordinating with the Dunes City Park Project and updating the financial model.

The city says its goal is to create a state-of-the-art recreation hub to serve Marina and the surrounding community for years to come.

The connector building will be a two-story structure. The second floor highlighted by studio and program spaces with patios looking out to the north and south, and administration office space. The first floor showcases a cafe and commercial kitchen with accompanying patio, along with reception and administration space, lobby, multipurpose room and a community room.

The aquatic center is about 25,000 square feet including a competition pool of 6,200 square feet and a multi-purpose pool of 4,200 square feet with 7,000 square feet of deck area. The 25 yard by 25 meter competition pool will be able to accommodate water polo and swim meets, with plans for movable bleachers. The competition pool can be utilized for recreation use when not in use for competitions. The recreation/multi-purpose pool will have four zones including a kids zone, a wellness/instructional area with therapy bench and social area, a current channel and a 20-yard lap swim area. Skylights and windows will bring in natural light and the aquatics center will be viewable from the outside from the cafe patio area and the second floor patio.

The sports center is about 23,000 square feet and will be renovated to utilize the main 12,800-square-foot court space with the addition of fitness, strength training, cardio and conditioning, areas. There will also be an outdoor auxiliary gym with turf. The main court space will accommodate multiple uses by marking out a 50’x94” exhibition championship basketball court, six 37’ by 42”basketball half courts, three 30’ by 60” volleyball courts, five 20’ by 44” pickelball courts and five 20’ by 44” badminton courts (5). The space could also be utilized as a roller derby rink. The sports center will include men’s and women’s locker and changing rooms, showers and benches, and family changing rooms. Walking tracks are planned for both the first and second floor with the latter overlooking the main space. Seating options will be available with some possibly being moveable.

Since the 2005 Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan, the community has voiced strong support for a centrally located recreation center featuring an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and sports courts.

For more information, visit https://www.cityofmarina.org/1361/Marina-Aquatic-Sports-Complex.