All News Archive
PRFO Thanks Piedmont Community Pool Donors
PRFO would like to thank the following donors for their generous contributions to the Piedmont Community Pool Project. The campaign will close on June 1, 2023, and all donations made prior to that date will be recognized at the new facility.
There is still time to join this list of donors. Click here to make a donation.
This list reflects contributions made before April 20, 2023. We have done our best to make sure this listing is full and complete. Please forgive us for any errors or omissions. If you would like to make a correction or change, please email us at piedmontrecreationalfacilities@gmail.com.
Thank you to our Real Estate Benefactors
Piedmont Community Pool Project FAQs
What is PRFO?
Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) is a 501c3 organization founded in 2004 to support the development and improvement of public recreational facilities serving Piedmont residents. In collaboration with the City of Piedmont, PRFO’s recent projects have included raising over $450,000 for the renovation and renaming of the Corey Reich Tennis Center in 2019 and over $850,000 for the new construction of Hampton Park in 2017. Once again, PRFO is proud to partner with the City of Piedmont to make the Piedmont Community Pool a reality.
In 2020, the City approved a $19.5 million bond measure, so why is private funding need to raise an additional $2 million?
In November 2020, with more than two-thirds of the vote, Piedmonters approved Measure UU, a $19.5 million bond measure to pay for the renovation and enhancement of the Piedmont Community Pool. In 2021, ELS Architecture and Urban Design was awarded the contract for the project. Using the 2017 conceptual master plan as a springboard, ELS led our community through a design process and the City Council approved our new concept in January 2022. Since Measure UU passed, however, extreme inflationary pressures have driven up costs significantly. Earlier this year, the pool building design was substantially revised to reduce the overall costs by $4 million. But construction costs continue to be high, and we currently anticipate a $2 million shortfall. Without raising additional private funds, we will have to forgo key elements of the project design.
Why did the City reject the first round of bids for the Piedmont Community Pool Project?
At the October 17, 2022, City Council meeting, the Council voted to reject the current bids as they exceeded construction cost estimates by 16% and contained inconsistencies. The staff recommended reissuing modified bid documents and rebid the project without changing any element of the current design. New bids are expected by December 5th and the City is confident that the simplified bid documents will provide additional clarity for prospective bidders.
Why can’t I donate directly to the City?
The City can accept donations, but it does not have the staff resources to manage large numbers of individual donors. As a 501(c)(3) with enthusiastic volunteers, PRFO is able to assist the City with this important effort.
Why donate when the community is already contributing through Measure UU?
The Piedmont Community Pool Project has created the blueprints for a state-of-the-art aquatic center equipped to serve residents long into the future. If we are able to meet one-time fundraising targets for this capital campaign, people of all ages will benefit for generations to come. Whether through swim lessons, sports and fitness, or simply using the space to relax and unwind, the new design suits a wide range of needs. The Piedmont Community Pool will also add tremendous value to all properties within the City.
What will the additional privately raised funds be used for?
Additional funds will be used to provide the following essential features in and around both pools:
In the Competition Pool, funds will support regulation length and depth for water polo play, diving well with two diving boards, scoreboard, timing system, sports lighting, and starting blocks and toe ledges.
Recreation Pool amenities requiring additional funding include three standard-length lap lanes, an expansive shallow area for play and swim lessons and a poolside room for parties and gatherings.
Why can’t the City fund the shortfall from general funds?
The City relies on general funds to conduct its routine activities, including repairing sidewalks, maintaining parks and other public spaces. At present, the City does not have extra funds available for a major capital project such as this one.
When is the deadline to raise the additional funds?
Funding needs to be secured before the project can be awarded.
What will happen to the pool if we cannot raise the $2 million?
If we do not raise the $2 million, the Piedmont Community Pool Project will continue, but specific features will be value-engineered out of the scope. Rather than three standard-length lap lanes in the Recreation Pool, for example, we may only be able to afford two.
Will the facility still be all-electric?
The new Piedmont Community Pool is designed to be fully electric. The City is partnering with East Bay Community Energy to offset the extra costs associated with heating the pools with electricity.
When is construction scheduled to begin? When will the new facility open?
The City is looking to break ground on the new Piedmont Community Pool in 2023. We currently remain on track to open the facility in 2024.
Will the new facility be open to non-Piedmont residents? What will be the fee for an Annual Pass?
The new facility will be open to residents of Piedmont and the general public. Piedmont residents will receive priority and discounts for all fees and associated programs. The fee structure is yet to be determined and will ultimately be set by the City Council.
What oversight is in place to ensure that the bond and privately raised funds are used properly?
Measure UU provided that a bond oversight committee be appointed to make sure the bonds are issued and spent in accordance with the terms of Measure UU. This committee was established by the City Council in December 2021 and will continue to meet, review and report on the expenditure of the proceeds of the bonds until the expenditure of the bond proceeds is complete. As with any project, staff and the City Council work to ensure the proper use of public funds. The project is also subject to the City’s project risk management policy which has expenditure safeguards in place.
How can I learn more or donate?
Visit PRFO.org to learn more or to donate. Please contact PRFO Fundraising Committee member, Eric Havian at erichavian@gmail.com with additional questions.
City of Piedmont and Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization Partner to Fund the Piedmont Community Pool
August 26, 2022
On Monday, August 15th, the Piedmont City Council, in partnership with the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO), approved the launch of a capital campaign to privately raise up to $2,000,000 to fund the completion of the Piedmont Community Pool project. PRFO is a 501(c)3 organization that works to encourage and actively support the development and/or improvement of public recreational facilities that serve the Piedmont Community. The City and PRFO have successfully partnered on similar fundraising efforts for Hampton Park and the Corey Reich Tennis Center.
The Piedmont Community Pool has been home to countless aquatic enthusiasts for over 60 years. Originally run by a private club, the city took over operations in 2011. Because of the age and condition of the facility, the City has been planning for several years to construct a replacement facility, which will better meet the community’s needs. This planning began with a conceptual master plan approved by the Council after robust community input in 2016-17. Work continued with the November 2020 passage of Measure UU by the voters of Piedmont, which authorized the sale of bonds to provide the bulk of the funding for the project. Work has continued since then, with the Council selecting ELS Architecture and Urban Design in October of 2021 to design the facility, and many public meetings to gather input and improve the design of the pool. On August 15, 2022, Council approved putting the pool project out to bid.
Unfortunately, due to extreme construction extreme inflationary pressures, the original cost projections are no longer realistic and the design was revised significantly in spring 2022 to bring down the cost of the project. Despite these extensive alterations, several of the key elements of the project will not be funded without contributions from private sources. A gap of approximately $2,000,000 exists between the available bond funding and the projected cost of completing the facility.
“The City Council is grateful to the voters of Piedmont for approving the bonds to fund the project,” said Mayor Teddy Gray King. “The Council has worked tirelessly with the project team, the Pool Advisory Committee, and the community to optimize a revised design that will make Piedmont proud, both in terms of the facility and its environmental impact. As envisioned, the Piedmont Community Pool will be a recreation hub in the center of town that will bring all segments of our community together. The City is grateful to PRFO for its support to help bring this remarkable project across the finish line.”
“In the midst of uncertainty and extreme hyperinflation, the project team, the City Council, and the community have stayed the course to ensure that this facility is what Piedmont needs,” said City Administrator Sara Lillevand. “We are pleased to partner again with PRFO for this worthy cause.”
“PRFO is proud to build upon the success of our two previous partnerships with the City, which raised $850,000 for the Hampton Park project and $435,000 for the Corey Reich Tennis Center,” said PRFO President Steve Collins. “The overwhelming success of these two projects and incredible support from the community make me very optimistic that the Piedmont community will again demonstrate its support to improve and sustain local recreation facilities for generations to come.”
To learn more about the Piedmont Community Pool Project and to help champion it, visit https://prfo.org.
Contacts:
John O. Tulloch
City of Piedmont
(510) 420-3040
Eric Havian
PRFO
Erichavian@gmail.com
PRFO Completes Corey Reich Tennis Center Fundraising Project
The November 2021 dedication ceremony of the Corey Reich Tennis Center marked the conclusion of an emotional project to renovate the City tennis courts on Vista Ave. The reimagined tennis center is named after beloved Piedmont High School alumnus and tennis coach Corey Reich.
A 2004 graduate of Piedmont High and member of the men’s tennis team, Corey was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 while attending Middlebury College. After graduation, he returned to Piedmont and has served as assistant coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams ever since. Corey is a powerful and inspirational coaching presence every day of these teams’ seasons, and has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, the most successful in school history. Click here to read Corey’s speech as read by Wendy Reich.
The completion of the tennis center closes out the second successful project that has come from the public/private partnership between the City of Piedmont and the Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (“PRFO”). In addition to the $450,000 raised for the tennis center, PRFO supported the City’s 2018 renovation of Hampton Park by raising $850,000 from the Piedmont Community. Between these two projects there have been over 550 individual donations from community members.
On the heels of these successes, PRFO is looking forward to the continuation of its partnership with the City by supporting their effort to raise supplemental funds for the renovation and upgrade of the Piedmont Community Pool. Additional information on this project will be coming over the next several months.
Founded in 2004, Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (“PRFO”) is a 501(c)3 entity that encourages and actively supports the development and/or improvement of public recreational facilities that serve residents of Piedmont without regard to age, race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. PRFO strives to fulfill its mission by working collaboratively with the City of Piedmont to identify, advocate for, and bring private financial support to assist in the funding of projects that invest in healthy spaces within the city.
Piedmont Community Pool- PRFO in Support of Measure UU
Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (“PRFO”) mission statement reads: ”PRFO works collaboratively with the City of Piedmont to identify, advocate for, and bring private financial support to assist in the funding of projects that invest in healthy spaces within the city.” The tagline for PRFO is “Working Together so we can Play Together.” Never have these words been more relevant than in the City’s commitment to rebuild the Piedmont Pool complex through the passage of Measure UU.
The Piedmont Pool is an iconic part of the community where generations of Piedmont residents have enjoyed the outdoors. Our one and only public pool is also an essential facility providing a safe and healthy place for families to enjoy aquatics. In addition to the community usage, it also provides Piedmont students the opportunity to compete in swimming and water polo which promotes teamwork, commitment, discipline, and drive. All important qualities as they embark on their life journeys.
In support of its mission, PRFO has partnered with the City in the renovation of Hampton Park and the conversion of the City’s Vista tennis courts into the Corey Reich Tennis Center. Community enthusiasm and support have made these projects a reality through private financial contributions of over $1,300,000. The catalyst for the success of these fundraising initiatives has been the City’s willingness to take the lead and commit funding first. Then PRFO, in partnership with the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (“PBF”) and other community groups, has been able to rally private donations to support the success of these improvements.
The boards of PRFO and PBF have both endorsed Measure UU. Should Measure UU pass, and if asked by the City, PRFO would be willing and ready to rally community financial support for the Piedmont Pool. But first things first, the voters of Piedmont need to decide if they want the City to rebuild a pool for the next 50 years. For the sake of the health of our community, I hope the answer is yes.
Steve Collins
President
Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (“PRFO”)
PRFO Thanks Corey Reich Tennis Center Donors
Piedmont Recreation Facilities Organization, in conjunction with the City of Piedmont, is pleased and proud to recognize the 241 generous donors who made the creation of the Corey Reich Tennis Center a reality. $455,000 was raised in record time, with a 95% participation rate, funding significant improvements, renovations, and installations at the center, and enabling the recognition of the extensive contributions of Piedmont’s own Corey Reich.
Recently completed Tennis Center improvements by Vintage Construction included:
- Slipsheet resurfacing of four courts
- Retaining wall repairs and repainting
- New fencing and windscreen installation
- New ball stop fencing installation
- Drainage improvements
- New net posts and net installation
- New ADA-accessible bleacher installation
- New ADA-accessible entryway and gates
- New bottle-filling water fountain installation
Upcoming improvements for 2020 include:
- Court bench installation (Spring)
- Spectator benches placement beyond the outer fence (Spring)
- Picnic table installation (Spring)
- Backpack-storage cubbies/lockers installation (Spring)
- New CRTC entryway signage
- Donor signage and recognition installation – designer Peter Fishel (Spring/Summer)
- Energy-efficient LED court lighting renovation (Summer)
Approximately $200,000 has also been earmarked to fund ongoing maintenance of the Corey Reich Tennis Center. Proper maintenance over time is crucial, yet expensive, and maintaining the quality of the center bearing Corey’s name is important and appropriate. PRFO continues to accept donations for this work at www.prfo.org/donate.
Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School, was a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. Diagnosed with ALS in2007, Corey returned to Piedmont after graduating from Middlebury College and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis teams. Corey has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose men’s and women’s programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
PRFO is a group of Piedmont residents who work in a collaborative public-private partnership with the City of Piedmont to promote recreation facilities and fields to meet community needs. To learn more about PRFO, visit www.prfo.org.
On behalf of PRFO, please accept our thanks for helping make the Corey Reich Tennis Center a resounding success!
CRTC Donations Welcome Through December 31st
Piedmont, CA – As renovations and improvements continue on schedule for Piedmont’s Corey Reich Tennis Center (CRTC), Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization’s (PRFO) has announced that their successful fundraising campaign will draw to a close on December 31st, 2019. Interested donors can still view available CRTC sponsorship packages and on-site recognition levels at www.prfo.org/corey/. Recognition of donations received by the end of this year will be featured with permanent donor signage.
To date, approximately $440,000 has been raised through the generosity of the local tennis community and supportive residents. A check for $165,000 was presented to the City of Piedmont to underwrite construction and new equipment costs. The remaining funds will be used for additional enhancements and long-term maintenance via a targeted fund held within the endowment of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation (PBF).
Donors with connections to Piedmont’s tennis teams, recreational clubs, and coaching staff have been incredibly supportive of this initiative. Major CRTC donors Larry Hawkins and Karen Snow Hawkins have been loyal supporters of Piedmont tennis for years.
“The varsity tennis program has been a great experience for our son, Luke,” said Karen. “We are big fans of Jim (Landes) and Corey, and are delighted to contribute to a new tennis facility in Corey’s name.”
Recent improvements in November included the installation of new bleachers and a new bottle-filling water fountain. The entryway and sidewalk were also regraded to achieve ADA accessibility, paving the way for final entryway design and production. Spectator benches will be placed beyond the outer fence in the coming weeks, and energy-efficient LED court lighting will be installed in Spring 2020. The entire project may be finalized as soon as the end of the 2020 school year.
Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School, was a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. Diagnosed with ALS in2007, Corey returned to Piedmont after graduating from Middlebury College and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis teams. Corey has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose men’s and women’s programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
PRFO is a group of Piedmont residents who work in collaborative public-private partnership with the City of Piedmont to promote recreation facilities and fields to meet community needs. To learn more about PRFO, visit www.prfo.org.
Community Invited to Corey Reich Tennis Center Grand Opening August 24th
PIEDMONT, CA – After months of renovations to the Rec tennis courts, the City of Piedmont, PRFO and PHS Tennis are proud to invite the entire community to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Corey Reich Tennis Center (CRTC) on Saturday, August 24th from 1-3pm. Opening ceremonies and brief remarks will be followed by a free youth clinic for ages 8-12 taught by PHS tennis players, and refreshments will be served.
While the entire project is not yet complete, the playing surface upgrade has been finished and the courts opened for Recreation Department clinic use on August 5th. The courts will officially open on August 12th for public use and PHS practices.
“This project has been exciting and rewarding on many fronts,” said Sara Lillevand, Piedmont’s City Administrator. “The work to date has gone smoothly and now we’re thrilled to share the facility with the community who helped make it happen and proud to have the upgraded playing surface ready for the PHS Girls Tennis season.”
The balance of renovations will take place over the coming months, including installation of new bleachers for spectators and tennis court benches for players, installation of new LED lights, installation of a new drinking fountain with water bottle filler, and a permanent Wall of Champions to recognize winning teams and players from Piedmont High School tennis teams as well as a new entryway. Fundraising efforts have yielded more than $400,000 for the project, and donations continue to be welcomed. Various sponsorship packages, on-site recognition levels, and online donation information can be found at http://www.prfo.org/corey.
The new tennis center honors Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School and a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. In 2007 while in college, he was diagnosed with ALS, and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Boys’s and Gilrs’ Varsity Tennis teams. Corey has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
PRFO Presents First Installment $400K Check to Fund Corey Reich Tennis Center
PIEDMONT, CA – At this week’s Piedmont City Council meeting, Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization (PRFO) presented the first installment check for $400,000 in pursuit of its $500,000 goal to the City to fund the renovation and creation of the Corey Reich Tennis Center (CRTC).
The generous support of Piedmont’s tennis and resident community donors have funded the reimagined tennis center renovation, and the remaining $100,000 to be raised in the coming weeks will be endowed for deferred maintenance in Corey’s and the CRTC’s name. Donations will be gladly accepted through the completion of the project in mid-August, and can be made online at http://www.prfo.org/corey.
The fundraising effort has been driven by a committee representing the tennis community including Andy Filler, Leila Kasrovi, Betsy Lalli, Barbara Love, Melanie Marcus, Neil Rothenberg, Shahan Soghikian, and Bernie Yu.
Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School, was a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. In 2007, he was diagnosed with ALS, and after graduating from Middlebury with honors in 2008, Corey returned to Piedmont and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis teams. Corey has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose men’s and women’s programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
The Hawkins family of Piedmont has been an active and engaged supporter of Piedmont tennis and the renovation effort.
“The varsity tennis program has been a great experience for our son, Luke,” said Karen Hawkins. “We are big fans of coaches Jim and Corey, and are delighted to contribute to a new tennis facility in Corey’s name.”
Initially scoped tennis center improvements included resurfacing the courts with a slipsheet overlay system, installation of new net posts and nets, installation of new fencing surrounding and new ball stop fencing between courts, as well as, drainage improvements at the west end of the complex.
With the community’s financial support, renovations have expanded to include installation of new bleachers for spectators and tennis court benches for players, installation of new LED lights, installation of a new drinking fountain with water bottle filler, and a permanent Wall of Champions to recognize winning teams and players from Piedmont High School tennis teams.
For more information and schematics on the renovation and fundraising efforts, visit http://www.prfo.org/corey.
Corey Reich Tennis Center Fundraiser Campaign Surpasses $250,000
PIEDMONT, CA – On the heels of the successful Corey Reich Tennis Challenge on Sunday, April 28th, PRFO (Piedmont Recreational Facilities Organization) announced that fundraising efforts to support the creation of the Corey Reich Tennis Center have far surpassed the halfway mark, and donations will continue to be accepted through the end of May.
Upwards of $300,000 has been raised to date from Piedmont’s tennis community to recognize and honor the important contributions of Corey Reich. Support from the broader Piedmont community will now be crucial to achieve the $500,000 goal for renovations.
Corey Reich, a 2004 graduate of Piedmont High School, was a member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis Team. In 2007, he was diagnosed with ALS, and after graduating from Middlebury with honors in 2008, Corey returned to Piedmont and has served as the Assistant Coach for the Piedmont High School Men’s and Women’s Varsity Tennis teams. Corey has been instrumental in the continued success of the PHS tennis program, whose men’s and women’s programs have been the only ones to qualify every year for the NCS Team Championships since its inception in 1998-99.
Piedmont’s Soghikian family has been an early and ardent supporter of the tennis renovation initiative.
“Our support of the Corey Reich Tennis Center represents a commitment to maintaining a first class accessible tennis facility in our community,” said Shahan Soghikian. “Continuing the legacy of Coach Rothenberg and Landes’ successful high school tennis program which promotes teamwork, commitment and passion for a sport which can be played for a lifetime is important to us. We want to recognize the perseverance, dedication, insights and indomitable spirit which Corey Reich has brought to the program as a mentor and a coach for the past decade.”
“We encourage everyone in the community to join us in supporting this project to improve and sustain local tennis,” said Soghikian.
Currently scoped tennis improvements include resurfacing the courts with a slipsheet overlay system, installation of new net posts and nets, installation of new fencing surrounding and new ball stop fencing between courts, as well as, drainage improvements at the west end of the complex.
With full community support, renovations will expand to include installation of new bleachers for spectators and tennis court benches for players, installation of new LED lights, installation of a new drinking fountain with water bottle filler, and a permanent Wall of Champions to recognize winning teams and players from Piedmont High School tennis teams.
Interested in donating? No donation is too small, and interested community members can donate online at http://www.prfo.org/corey. Information and schematics of the renovation can also be found at this address.
Fundraising will continue through May, and renovations are scheduled for Spring and Summer, 2019.