Orchard Mesa Recreational Facility

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August 2026 Update:

On August 19, 2026, City Council voted to refer a ballot question to voters asking if they approve of a 0.07% sales tax increase to finance the associated debt of $12,000,000 to repair the Orchard Mesa Pool. The updated cost estimates are available to review in the documents section on this project page. If approved, after the debt is paid off, the sales tax rate would be reduced by 0.04% to 0.03% to provide for the continued operation and maintenance of the Orchard Mesa Pool. Review the staff report, which includes the approved resolution for the November 2026 Ballot.

Passage of the ballot question would repair and replace all major systems, including mechanical, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC), electrical, filtration, and other hardware necessary for operation of the swimming pool facility but not including any expansion beyond the existing 6-lane, 25-yard by 25-meter configuration. This project cost was based upon the in-depth evaluation of the facility conducted by OLC Corporation in 2023. View the excerpt from the 2023 OLC study in the documents section that shows the layout of the option to fix the pool as well as the updated August 2026 cost estimates. These projected costs include the replacement of all systems required to operate the pool, including refurbishing public-facing amenities such as the locker rooms and replacing the non-functional hot tub. View a letter from FCI, which evaluated the 2023 study in August of 2026 to determine the updated total project cost to ensure adequate funds to successfully repair the Orchard Mesa Pool, in the documents section.

Residents can watch the full City Council discussion and review the meeting materials on the Agendas and Minutes webpage.

February 2026 Update:

At the City Council Workshop on Feb. 2, City Council discussed the topic of the future of the Orchard Mesa Pool.

Council reviewed the 2023 Orchard Mesa Pool Study, which concluded the pool is at the end of its systems’ useful life. Following a presentation and historical overview from Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou, Council discussed four options for the pool’s future:

Option A: Continue to operate the Orchard Mesa Pool, even after the Community Recreation Center (CRC) opens.
Option B: Close the Orchard Mesa Pool when the CRC opens.
Option C: Release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek a public-private partnership for the operation of the pool and potentially add new assets to the site.
Option D: Ask voters whether they approve or disapprove forming a Title 32 special district in the Orchard Mesa portion of the City to take over ownership, operations, and maintenance of the Orchard Mesa Pool.

As part of the discussion, Council reviewed estimated capital and operating expenses and cost recovery for the options, which ranges from approximately 24% to 80%, depending on the approach.

City staff noted that once the CRC opens, the subsidy per visit at Orchard Mesa Pool is projected to be around $30. For context, continuing current operations (Option A) is estimated to require an annual subsidy of approximately $400,000 and would serve about 14,400 visits per year. For comparison, subsidy per visit at Lincoln Park Pool is $8.60, and at the Community Recreation Center is estimated at $3.12.

Following the discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with Option C by looking into the first steps for an RFP to seek a public-private partnership for the operation of the pool and potential new amenities at the site. Council also asked staff to gather additional information on Option D, including the requirements and implications of a Title 32 special district, or other such examples, so Council can better evaluate both options moving forward.

Staff will also speak with Mesa County Valley School District 51, who owns the land and the building, before bringing back answers to Council at a workshop next month.

2023 Update:

Grand Junction City Council, Mesa County School District 51, and Mesa County are reviewing options for the Orchard Mesa Recreational Facility. Review the most recent City Council meeting where the council discussed this agenda item.

The video below is the Orchard Mesa Pool presentation from August 15, 2023. Since this presentation, the CRC pool design has been updated. View updated CRC pool design here.


History of the OM Facility

Orchard Mesa Pool was built in 1983 as a partnership between Mesa County School District 51, Mesa County, and the City of Grand Junction. District 51 owns the land and the building and pays the utilities. The city operates the facility, and the city and the county split the annual subsidy required to run the facility. While maintenance has been conducted on a regular basis since 1983, all the mechanical, pool, and building systems are at the end of their useful life and the facility requires a full renovation.

Moving Forward

Community participation is fundamental as the project continues to move forward. Opportunities for input online, as well as the public forum, will allow community members to learn more about the recommendations from an architectural firm, Ohlson Lavoie Corporation (OLC). OLC is studying the existing facility and is presenting various options for reimagining the future of the Orchard Mesa Recreational Facility. These range from a basic renovation to modernizing the facility, to repurposing the facility for other indoor recreation uses, among other possibilities.

August 2026 Update:

On August 19, 2026, City Council voted to refer a ballot question to voters asking if they approve of a 0.07% sales tax increase to finance the associated debt of $12,000,000 to repair the Orchard Mesa Pool. The updated cost estimates are available to review in the documents section on this project page. If approved, after the debt is paid off, the sales tax rate would be reduced by 0.04% to 0.03% to provide for the continued operation and maintenance of the Orchard Mesa Pool. Review the staff report, which includes the approved resolution for the November 2026 Ballot.

Passage of the ballot question would repair and replace all major systems, including mechanical, heating/ventilation/air-conditioning (HVAC), electrical, filtration, and other hardware necessary for operation of the swimming pool facility but not including any expansion beyond the existing 6-lane, 25-yard by 25-meter configuration. This project cost was based upon the in-depth evaluation of the facility conducted by OLC Corporation in 2023. View the excerpt from the 2023 OLC study in the documents section that shows the layout of the option to fix the pool as well as the updated August 2026 cost estimates. These projected costs include the replacement of all systems required to operate the pool, including refurbishing public-facing amenities such as the locker rooms and replacing the non-functional hot tub. View a letter from FCI, which evaluated the 2023 study in August of 2026 to determine the updated total project cost to ensure adequate funds to successfully repair the Orchard Mesa Pool, in the documents section.

Residents can watch the full City Council discussion and review the meeting materials on the Agendas and Minutes webpage.

February 2026 Update:

At the City Council Workshop on Feb. 2, City Council discussed the topic of the future of the Orchard Mesa Pool.

Council reviewed the 2023 Orchard Mesa Pool Study, which concluded the pool is at the end of its systems’ useful life. Following a presentation and historical overview from Parks and Recreation Director Ken Sherbenou, Council discussed four options for the pool’s future:

Option A: Continue to operate the Orchard Mesa Pool, even after the Community Recreation Center (CRC) opens.
Option B: Close the Orchard Mesa Pool when the CRC opens.
Option C: Release a Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek a public-private partnership for the operation of the pool and potentially add new assets to the site.
Option D: Ask voters whether they approve or disapprove forming a Title 32 special district in the Orchard Mesa portion of the City to take over ownership, operations, and maintenance of the Orchard Mesa Pool.

As part of the discussion, Council reviewed estimated capital and operating expenses and cost recovery for the options, which ranges from approximately 24% to 80%, depending on the approach.

City staff noted that once the CRC opens, the subsidy per visit at Orchard Mesa Pool is projected to be around $30. For context, continuing current operations (Option A) is estimated to require an annual subsidy of approximately $400,000 and would serve about 14,400 visits per year. For comparison, subsidy per visit at Lincoln Park Pool is $8.60, and at the Community Recreation Center is estimated at $3.12.

Following the discussion, the Council directed staff to move forward with Option C by looking into the first steps for an RFP to seek a public-private partnership for the operation of the pool and potential new amenities at the site. Council also asked staff to gather additional information on Option D, including the requirements and implications of a Title 32 special district, or other such examples, so Council can better evaluate both options moving forward.

Staff will also speak with Mesa County Valley School District 51, who owns the land and the building, before bringing back answers to Council at a workshop next month.

2023 Update:

Grand Junction City Council, Mesa County School District 51, and Mesa County are reviewing options for the Orchard Mesa Recreational Facility. Review the most recent City Council meeting where the council discussed this agenda item.

The video below is the Orchard Mesa Pool presentation from August 15, 2023. Since this presentation, the CRC pool design has been updated. View updated CRC pool design here.


History of the OM Facility

Orchard Mesa Pool was built in 1983 as a partnership between Mesa County School District 51, Mesa County, and the City of Grand Junction. District 51 owns the land and the building and pays the utilities. The city operates the facility, and the city and the county split the annual subsidy required to run the facility. While maintenance has been conducted on a regular basis since 1983, all the mechanical, pool, and building systems are at the end of their useful life and the facility requires a full renovation.

Moving Forward

Community participation is fundamental as the project continues to move forward. Opportunities for input online, as well as the public forum, will allow community members to learn more about the recommendations from an architectural firm, Ohlson Lavoie Corporation (OLC). OLC is studying the existing facility and is presenting various options for reimagining the future of the Orchard Mesa Recreational Facility. These range from a basic renovation to modernizing the facility, to repurposing the facility for other indoor recreation uses, among other possibilities.

Page last updated: 27 Aug 2026, 02:45 PM