Thursday, March 24, 2016

Olympic-Size Pool, Aquatics Center First Up at Massive Eastside Regional Park

By Armando Landin

Far East El Paso residents will see an aquatics center first as Phase One proceeds for the upcoming Eastside Regional Park. The massive 92-acre park is located off of Hueco Club Road, south of Montana Avenue and east of Rich Beem Boulevard.

This rendering shows how the entrance to the Eastside Regional Park in El Paso may look like once completed. (City of El Paso)

The aquatics area will include a natatorium with a 50-meter "competition-ready" pool and an adjacent a warm up/cool down pool as well as an outdoor recreational pool, splash pad, and lazy river.

A recreational center, climbing wall, rental pavilion, and community garden are also part of the first phase of the project. The recreation/community center will include fitness equipment and a gymnasium with basketball courts.

The natatorium and community center will be connected at the Eastside Regional Park in El Paso, according to this preliminary site plan. An outdoor aquatics area shows a recreational pool, lazy river, splash pad, and possible water slides. (City of El Paso)

Phase One also includes parking areas, roadways, and landscaping with 180 trees.

City Council approved the master plan for the park in June 2015 as part of the Quality of Life projects approved by voters in 2012. The $48 million Eastside Regional Park will be built in three phases.

Phase One of the Eastside Regional Park project in Far East El Paso is outlined in red on this map. (City of El Paso)

Other phases of the plan include four diamond fields, six flat fields, handball, volleyball, and multi-use courts. Playgrounds, a dog park, a skate park, a BMX park, and an amphitheater are also planned.

The Eastside Regional Park will be located south of Montana Avenue and east of Rich Beem Boulevard in Far East El Paso. 

The design phase for Phase One is scheduled to last 11 months, with City Council awarding the contract to Perkins + Will/In*Situ. No construction start date has been disclosed.