Calabasas Planning Multimillion Dollar Water Park

Seven years ago, the City of Calabasas sent out a survey to residents. They say that a “consistent theme” in the responses to that survey was to build an aquatics complex.

The building site under current consideration is the Juan Bautista De Anza Park, at the intersection of Las Virgenes Road and Lost Hills Road.

The proposal is to build a year round pool, a lazy river, spray-water playground, a large slide and a number of other structures ranging from a snack shop to locker rooms.

Initial estimates to build the facility range from $6 to $8 million, in addition to unspecified operating and maintenance costs.

Officials say that they will hold community outreach meetings. Issues likely to arise would be traffic congestion, noise, lighting, security and other problems associated with a high usage facility.

The Acorn wrote that council member James Bozajian said at last week’s city council meeting, “It looks like a Las Vegas hotel rather than what it should look like, which is a natural area.”

Some may see some irony in building a water park in a city known for cracking down on what it sees as water overuse and runoff. If a community group wants to hold a car wash fundraiser, it would first need to apply for a permit, which requires a $170 fee and $10,000 bond, as well as adhere to stringent wastewater regulations.

Under the current water park proposal, De Anza Park would keep the basketball courts, but lose the baseball field and large grassy area.

Updated designs are expected next month. We’ll follow this story closely.

You can see a copy of the city staff proposal here or read more information from the Acorn’s report of the city council meeting here.