Walnut Creek's $77 million Heather Farm Aquatic and Community Center is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028, according to a city bid document reported by Claycord on Tuesday, July 28.

The timeline represents a slight shift from the city's earlier projection of summer 2027 completion, which was cited at the project's February 18 groundbreaking ceremony.

Construction is underway.

Demolition of the old community center began in February 2026 at the 4.7-acre Heather Farm Park site. The new facility will replace the aging Clarke Memorial Swim Center and Heather Farm Park Community Center, which have served residents for decades. The city has described it as one of the largest recreation investments Walnut Creek has ever made.

What the new center will include

The combined aquatic and community center will feature a 50-meter competition pool with nine long-course and 18 short-course lanes, plus a 25-meter recreation pool with beach entry and play features, according to the city's project page. The building footprint is estimated at 25,000 to 27,000 square feet.

Beyond the pools, the facility will include a large indoor gathering space, multi-purpose rooms and classrooms, outdoor event terraces, expanded locker rooms, a bathhouse, and improved accessibility and pedestrian access throughout the site.

Funding and approvals

The project is funded primarily by Measure O, the ten-year, half-cent sales tax that Walnut Creek voters approved in November 2022. The total estimated cost is approximately $77 million, according to Contra Costa News reporting from the groundbreaking.

The Walnut Creek City Council accepted the original conceptual site plan on February 7, 2023, and approved a revised design on April 16, 2024. Most recently, the council on June 16 authorized the city manager to execute an easement agreement with Contra Costa Water District for the project, according to council meeting records.

What residents should know during construction

Clarke Swim Center is projected to remain open throughout the construction period, allowing aquatic programming to continue while the new facility is built. Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekend work authorized as necessary. Safety fencing and barriers are in place throughout the project site.

In a Facebook post following the February 18 groundbreaking, the city said the project will replace aging facilities with a modern center for residents and thanked the community for its continued support.

Residents can subscribe to project updates or submit questions at [email protected]. The city's full project page is at walnutcreekartsrec.org.