Project Updates

Construction of the Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center project kicked off with site demolition and earthwork.  Site demolition was completed in September with removal of the salt and sand shed, playground equipment, asphalt and concrete pavement, and some turf.  Traffic control measures were setup on W Moana and Baker Lanes to provide the construction crews access to gas, electric, water, storm drain, and sewer utilities that are located under the roadway.  New connections to the utilities are required to service the new facility.  New sidewalks and driveways will be constructed after the utility connections are completed.  The traffic control measures are expected to be removed October 2022.  Earthwork is ongoing and will continue with grading the soil for the new parking lots and excavation for the new building foundation and pools.  A live Project Webcam is now included on the Project Updates page on the MoanaSprings.com website.

On the morning of Wednesday, August 10, 2022, guests gathered at the site of the future Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center to witness the project break ground. In attendance were members of the community, several elected officials, and even USA Water Polo team member and gold medalist Ben Stevenson, who was born and raised in Reno.

The previous pool facility was demolished in 2012, yet Moana Springs has a long history that dates back to 1905 when it was first opened as a bathhouse resort. Over the following 20 years, it was used for an abundance of recreational activity before burning down in a 1926 fire. Decades later, the property was purchased by the City of Reno and reincarnated into several different facilities, including a stadium, sports field, and of course, a pool.

Because of this long history, members of our community were enthralled to hear plans for this community aquatic and fitness center. Many locals, like Ben Stevenson, can recall spending their childhood at the old Moana Springs pool before it was demolished. To pay homage to the property’s former lives, the City provided swag in the form of old tiles from the old Moana pool. There were also beach balls and flip-flop bottle openers for guests to bring home.

Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included City Manager Doug Thornley, Mayor Hillary Schieve, Director of Parks and Recreation Jaime Schroeder, Chair of the Recreation & Parks Commission Mike Ginsburg, Director of Public Works Kerrie Koski, Reno City Councilmember Naomi Duerr, Vice President of CORE Construction Travis Coombs, and Chair of Sierra Nevada Community Aquatics Chip Hobson. These speakers pointed out the accessibility and affordability of the center, as well as the positive economic impact it will have on the city as out-of-town athletes are expected to come compete at the facility upon its completion.

At the end of the ceremony, several guests of honor stood before the crowd with golden shovels and used them to toss small amounts of water onto the project site. This ceremony signified the official beginning of the project.

The Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center is expected to reach completion during the summer of 2024. The City’s funding plan for the center includes a generous $9 million pledge from The William N. Pennington Foundation. CORE Construction will continue to provide construction updates on this website as the project progresses.

“CORE’s main objective is to deliver a high quality, cost efficient and long-lasting aquatics facility to the Reno community,” said Vice President Travis Coombs. “All of us at CORE understand the vision and passion behind this project, and it is a privilege for us to be part of the team that will bring it into reality.”

The City of Reno and CORE have partnered with Van Woert Bigotti Architects and Farr West Engineering to execute this project successfully.