News & History
PROJECT UPDATES
As of July 31, 2023, the RFPs for this project still have NOT been sent out and the September ground-breaking is in jeopardy. This project is hung up on a CABQ decision-makers desk. This is costing the City and State approximately $200,000 for every month they delay this project. We hate to say it, but CABQ is losing focus again and letting themselves be distracted by much less-desired projects. This is inexcusable and citizens will need to make some noise about this, urgently - for the ENTIRE MONTH OF AUGUST.
Final construction documents have been developed for RFP ('Request For Proposals' from construction companies) release with a target breaking ground NLT September.
Albuquerque Environmental Review Committee approved the project 9-0 on 20 April
LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE
August 15, 2023 (KOB News): North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center: When could we see progress?
August 6, 2023 (Albuquerque Journal): Forget the Rail Trail and soccer stadium. What about the North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center?
October 28, 2021: Albuquerque Journal Letter to the Editor (see above)
October 12, 2021: Journal Endorses City's Parks & Recreation G.O. Bonds
September 6, 2021: After Nearly 20 Years of Promises...
August 31, 2021: North Domingo Baca Park - Aquatics Phase
August 29, 2021: NE Heights Getting New Aquatic Center
August 28, 2021: New Water Sports Center Planned for NE Albuquerque Park
August 28, 2021: New Aquatic Center Planned for NE ABQ Park
August 26, 2021: City Pushes Forward Aquatic Center Plans at NDB Park
August 26, 2021: Mayor Keller's Press Conference on the Aquatic Center
August 26, 2021: City Pushes Forward Aquatic Center Plans
August 2021: City is Beginning to Plan (Not Deliver) East Side Aquatic Center
June 7, 2021: Albuquerque city council to finalize projects for upcoming bond election
May 21, 2021: Neighbors organize to push for long-awaited North Domingo Baca Park pool
February 19, 2020: Millions still needed for Aquatic Center at North Domingo Baca Park
January 4, 2020: City council newcomer (Brook Bassan) talks challenges ahead
December 13, 2019: Councilor Brad Winter reflects on 20 years with Albuquerque City Council
WHY SWIMMING MATTERS TO A COMMUNITY
OLYMPIC HOPEFULS & CHAMPIONS
RECENT & PAST
Anika Apostalon 2021 News article about Anika, an Albuquerque Academy graduate, who is now an Olympic hopeful for the 2021 Toyko Games.
Cathy Carr started training when she was under 12 years old at the privately-owned, outdoor Acapulco Swim Pool. She competed in the ABQ branch of Amateur Athletic Union’s (AAU) Age Group Swimming Category: “12 yrs. & Under”. She became a member of the Acapulco Swim Club Team beginning about 1959.
The Girls & Boys Swim Team practiced 2-times a day, except Saturdays and Sundays, at the Acapulco Swim Pool. The pool is still located in ABQ’s South East Heights near the Air Force Base and International Airport. Today, the Acapulco Swim Pool belongs to the City of ABQ. It’s called the Sunport Public Pool.
Jimmy Stevens was the Acapulco Swim Club Team’s coach. Coach Stevens and his team won many ABQ city championships over the summers. Cathy Carr went on to win Olympic Gold Medals in her Breaststroke events. Read about Cathy’s swimming history HERE.
It's time for Albuquerque to make this possible for more of Albuquerque's competitive swimmers.
This North Domingo Baca Park (NDBP) Master Plan was developed with strong North ABQ neighborhood participation and support prior to 2005. In 2005, the NDBP Master Plan was adopted and signed by the parties and City of ABQ. On page 13 of the Master Plan, there is a stipulation which was agreed to by the parties in 2005. That stipulation is the NDBP pool will be built on 6 acres, and that the pool will be similar to the West Mesa Olympic Pool.