In what could be the first step towards a reopening of the Contra Loma Swim Lagoon, the East Bay Regional Park District has announced an RFP for community engagement and outreach with Antioch residents and nearby communities.
Here is what was announced this week:
Request for Proposals – Community Engagement and Outreach Services for Contra Loma Swim Facility Planning: The Park District is seeking consultant services to conduct community engagement and outreach with Antioch residents and nearby communities to help evaluate project alternatives at the Contra Loma swim lagoon, closed since 2022. Hear an overview at the pre-proposal session on Zoom – Thursday, Nov. 20, from 1-2 p.m. Proposals are due by Monday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m
More info on the RFP – click here while the Prebid meeting is set for November 20 at 1:00 pm while the proposal date is December 8, 2025.
Back in April, Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal announced during a council meeting that the swim lagoon could stay closed for another 4-years. The information came from EBRPD Board Member Colin Coffee while at a mayors conference.
“That is something that has been out of commission for a couple years now, and it looks like it will be another 3 or 4 years, but I asked him to please expedite that project,” said Bernal in April. “It looks like they have to redesign that whole structure.”
The lagoon has been closed since the 2022 swim season citing it was closed for required maintenance and safety repairs. Staff said in September before it closed, it averaged between 60,000 to 100,000 people annually.
Back at its September 4, 2024 meeting, the EBRPD provide an update of the swim lagoon repair project. Staff provided cost estimates of a total of four options which ranged between $10.6 million to $14.51 million (noting there is no funding at this point in time).
The lagoon was built in 2003 by the Contra Costa Water District to replace lake swimming while making the EBRPD responsible for operation and maintenance of the lagoon. It was stated during the presentation there were several existing condition deficiencies:
Photo: East Bay Regional Park District
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- June 2025 – Antioch Agrees to Carry $12.5 Million Budget Deficit into Fiscal Year 2026:Monica Wilson asked about the water park, pools at the swim lagoon and called for a regional approach with Supervisor Diane Burgis. She wanted a partnership with Antioch Unified School District on using school pools if they could figure out the insurance. She wanted a regional approach and look into Contra Loma Lagoon. Freitas said the project was 4-years away at Contra Loma, but agreed Antioch should look into obligations in agreements for the lagoon and it’s already been closed for several years. “This shows a bias, again in the urban core and us out here. We are definitely getting the short end of the stick,” said Freitas. “It is not acceptable, and it has been very important for us and for families who do not have the financial means to go to Disneyland. I do think this is something that should be addressed.” Wilson wanted Antioch to be part of the conversation while Fretias said, “if it was Tilden Park or one of the others, I can assure you it would be fixed already.”
- April 2025 – Contra Loma Swim Lagoon Could Stay Closed For Another 4-Years