Alameda High School Swim Center

Project Scope

The replacement Alameda High School Swim Center (previously Emma Hood Swim Center) will provide vastly improved aquatic facilities for AUSD students and the City of Alameda, including a new 12-lane x 30-meter competition pool for swim and water polo, a 4-lane practice pool, new pool deck with lighting, all new non-climbable fencing, and other aquatic amenities. The project also provides a new tennis court to replace a demolished court as needed for the enlarged pools.

Project Update

APRIL, 2026

Following the investigation and remediation of impacted soil and groundwater in September 2025—conducted under the oversight of the Alameda County Health Department—the Swim Center project has returned to regular construction activities.

Recent progress includes:

Excavation and shoring for the pools and equipment building
Installation of underground utilities
Procurement of major materials, including electrical components, waterproofing systems, plaster, and plumbing equipment
Continued construction of pool structures, site improvements, and building systems

Next steps:

Pool tile installation and fencing
Commissioning of pool equipment
Completion of hardscape areas
Final inspections

The project is currently on track for completion in October 2026.

Site Soil Information

Introduction

Construction began in June 2024 with removal of the old pool, decking, and tennis court. Before any soil left the site, environmental geologists collected samples for lab testing. Some soil beneath the former pool area showed lead above state standards. Findings like this are common at older urban school sites with imported fill and past uses.

In December 2024, the District notified the Alameda County Environmental Health Department. Under ACEHD oversight, we expanded testing to the new fence line areas and the adjacent softball field. Results showed metals, PCBs, pesticides, and petroleum in soil, and metals and petroleum in groundwater at the new pool site. To protect the community, the project team installed filtration systems so groundwater is treated before it leaves the site.

A Soils and Groundwater Management Plan guides the work. It sets clear steps for handling soil and water, limiting exposure, and keeping students, staff, and neighbors safe during construction. Impacted materials are managed and taken only to approved facilities.

With strong oversight and strict safety controls, construction is moving forward in well-managed phases. We will keep the community informed and stay focused on three goals: build the new swim center; safeguard health and safety; and follow the science and regulations that guide our work.

November 2024 Letter to the AHS Community

Soil Management Plan

The following technical reports provide detail on the type of soil found at the site and the plan for excavating and removing it safely.

Water Management Plan

Construction of the swimming pools require dewatering the site because of a high groundwater table. Before developing a dewatering plan approved by the Alameda County Environmental Health Department (ACEHD), groundwater was thoroughly tested and studied.

Air Monitoring

As part of the Soil and Groundwater Management Plan, a perimeter air monitoring program is in place to ensure that soil-disturbing activities do not impact site personnel or people downwind of the project.

February 2025 Soils Update

AUSD is working with the Alameda County Environmental Health Department (ACEHD) to further test soils at the site. In late February, environmental consultants collected additional soil and groundwater samples to help determine the extent of impacts in the construction area and adjacent baseball field.

Once the samples have been tested, ACEHD will issue a fact sheet that summarizes the results of the February investigation and next steps. This notice will be posted to this web page, sent to the school community, and distributed to neighboring properties.

April 2025 ACEHD Fact Sheet

LOCAL OVERSIGHT PROGRAM (LOP)
For Hazardous Materials Releases
DILAN ROE, Chief, Land & Water Protection Division
Phone: 510.567.6767 | Email: dilan.roe@acgov.org
PARESH KHATRI, LOP Manager
Phone: 510.777.2478 | Email: paresh.khatri@acgov.org

Alameda High School Swim Center Modernization
Environmental Fact Sheet - Spring 2025
2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Cleanup Program Site Case No. RO0003666
GEOTRACKER GLOBAL ID T10000022988

Alameda County Environmental Health Department (ACEHD) is issuing this fact sheet to provide information on environmental work associated with construction of the Alameda High School Swim Center (the “Site”). The Alameda Unified School District (AUSD or the “district”) is working under the oversight of ACEHD to investigate and clean up metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH or “petroleum”) detected in the subsurface in fill material and soil and/or groundwater. This fact sheet contains information on the Site, environmental investigations and next steps.

Site Background
In June 2024, AUSD began the swim center replacement project in the southeastern corner of the high school campus. During construction activities, lead impacted soil was found beneath the existing pool deck and tennis court. This type of finding, while unfortunate, is not unusual for projects in older urban locations that have a history of various past uses and non-native fill material. Since then, additional soil investigations have found elevated levels of metals, PCBs, pesticides and petroleum in soil, as well as metals and petroleum in groundwater. Under ACEHD oversight, AUSD is conducting additional investigations and will develop a cleanup plan to address environmental issues to ensure the long-term protection of school users and the surrounding community during and after construction of the swim center replacement project.

Environmental Investigations
In April 2025, environmental consultants will collect samples of soil in the construction area and adjacent softball field. Data gathered during this work will be used to develop a plan to manage soil during construction in accordance with all environmental regulations.

What to Expect
Investigation activities will begin on April 9 and last less than one week. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. No weekend work is planned. Hand tools and a drill rig will be used to collect soil samples. Work in the softball field will not be done when the field is in use. Dust will be controlled; however, should you have a concern, please contact Tracy Craig at (510) 334-4866 (24/7) so that the situation can be addressed as quickly as possible.

Next Steps
ACEHD will send out additional fact sheets to provide an update on the investigation results and the next steps in the process. Prior to the start of any cleanup work, ACEHD will hold a 30-day public comment period and public meeting to solicit input on the proposed plans.

For More Information and Questions:
You are invited to review the case file for the Alameda High School Swim Center project, including all
technical documents, online at the State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker website at
https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov and searching for the address “2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda.”
ACEHD and AUSD welcome your questions, comments, or concerns. For more information, please contact:

Tracy Craig, Community Outreach, (510) 334-4866 (24/7)
tracy@craig-communications.com

PDF of Environmental Fact Sheet

May 2025 ACEHD Fact Sheet

Alameda High School Swim Center – Corrective Action Plan
Construction Begins June 6, 2025
2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Cleanup Program Site Case No. RO0003666
GEOTRACKER GLOBAL ID T10000022988

Alameda County Environmental Health Department (ACEHD) is issuing this notice to inform the community of a Corrective Action Plan to manage contaminated soil and groundwater during construction of the Alameda High School Swim Center and Campus Fencing. Work will be conducted by the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) under ACEHD oversight and best practices will be employed to safely manage and dispose of contaminated soil and groundwater. You are invited to review this notice to learn more about this work.

SITE BACKGROUND
Environmental investigations conducted during construction of the new swim center found elevated levels of pesticides, petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls, and metals in soil. Groundwater in the area also contains metals, chloroform, and petroleum. AUSD prepared a Site Characterization Report (report date: May 27, 2025) that concludes that there are areas with low levels of contaminated soil and groundwater in the swim center construction area, future tennis court, softball field, and where some posts will be installed for the new campus fencing. In these areas, contaminated soil and groundwater will need to be handled and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations during excavation activities.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN
AUSD has prepared a Corrective Action Plan (Report date: May 28, 2025) that proposes the following to address contaminated soil and groundwater during swim center and new campus fencing construction:

Excavating contaminated soil in areas where campus fence posts, new pools and the new building will be constructed. Soil will be directly loaded into trucks, when possible, or stored in covered bins on-site until it can be tested. Based on the testing results, contaminated soil will either be taken to a licensed off-site disposal facility or determined suitable for reuse.
Dewatering groundwater encountered during excavations and storing it in a tank on-Site until it can be properly disposed off-Site at a permitted disposal facility.
Backfilling the site with clean soil to reach the final grade, constructing the new building foundation and pools, and paving remaining areas of the swim center with concrete. This will provide a protective cover over any remaining impacted soil underground.
Because some contamination will remain in deeper soils, a Soil and Groundwater Management Plan and Land Use Covenant will be required. These documents provide direction for the safe management of any remaining contaminated soil that might be encountered during future work within the area.

Upcoming Work

Swim center and new campus fencing construction will begin on June 6, 2025. Work will be conducted Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Duration	Activity
June 9 - August 1	Install new campus fencing,which includes drilling in some areas with contaminated soil. This fencing is outside the swim center project limits.
June 6 - June 16	Install dewatering wells for the swim center project using a drill rig.
July 8 - July 28	Install termporary shoring using a drill rig. Drill piers for new light poles and scoreboard.
July 29 – September 9	Excavate areas for new building and two pools. Remove groundwater when encountered during excavations.
September – February	Construct new building and install new pools.
February – April 2026	Backfill with 106 truckloads of clean soil to reach final grade. Pave the remaining area with concrete. The concrete pavement, new building, and pools will provide a protective cover over any remaining impacted soil underground.

Community Meeting – If there is significant interest, ACEHD will consider holding a community meeting to provide details on the plans to manage soil and groundwater during construction. Please contact Tracy Craig via phone or email to request a meeting.

PROPOSED SOIL MANAGEMENT PLANS

To support this work, ACEHD has approved a Revised Site Management Plan (Report date: May 28, 2025) and Construction Logistics Plan (Report Date: May 22, 2025). These documents provide workers with the following guidelines to safely handle and dispose of contaminated soil and community protection measures that will be employed to limit off-site impacts:

Controlling dust during soil disturbing activities by spraying water to keep the soil moist.
Keeping soil damp during loading operations to prevent dust.
Covering trucks transporting excavated soil off-site.
Cleaning the wheels and undercarriages of vehicles prior to leaving the Site.
Sweeping adjacent city streets, as necessary.
In addition to proper soil management, ACEHD requires the following community protection measures:
Performing real-time and perimeter air monitoring during any soil disturbing work to ensure that air quality remains protective of site workers and nearby populations.
Limiting construction equipment idling time to 5 minutes.
Following a truck route that minimizes transportation of impacted soil through residential areas.
Posting a publicly visible sign with a telephone number for questions and/or complaints.

Dust will be controlled; however, should you have a concern, please contact Tracy Craig at (510) 334-4866 (24/7) so that the situation can be addressed as quickly as possible.

TRUCK ROUTE
About 10 trucks per day (a total of 60 trucks) will enter and exit the Site to off-haul contaminated soil. About 20 trucks per day will enter and exit the Site during the remaining soil import activities associated with the swim center construction. Trucks will not line up or park on residential streets. Trucks will line up on Oak Street, by the jobsite, in accordance with an encroachment permit granted by the City of Alameda (see map below). Trucks will follow a City of Alameda approved truck route and flaggers will be used to help trucks enter and exit the Site, as needed. When hauling away impacted soil, trucks will exit the Site turning left onto Oak Street, right onto Blanding Avenue, left onto Park Street, cross the Park Street Bridge, and travel onto 29th Avenue and turn onto I-880 South.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
You are invited to review the case file for the Alameda High School Swim Center project, including the Site Characterization Report, Corrective Action Plan, Revised Site Management Plan, and Construction Logistics Plan online at the State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker website at https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov and searching for the address “2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda.”

Questions or Concerns during Construction
ACEHD and AUSD welcome your questions, comments, or concerns. For more information please contact:

Tracy Craig
(510) 334-4866 (24/7)
tracy@craig-communications.com

PDF of Fact Sheet

August 2025 ACEHD Fact Sheet and Community Meeting

RONALD BROWDER, Director

Alameda High School
Environmental Investigation Update and Consideration to Re-Open the Softball Field
2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Cleanup Program Site Case No. RO0003666
GEOTRACKER GLOBAL ID T10000022988

Alameda County Environmental Health Department (ACEHD) is issuing this notice to inform the community about results of environmental investigations conducted at the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Alameda High School softball field during the summer of 2025 and next steps that are required prior to ACEHD providing clearance to AUSD to re- open the softball field.

Public Comment Period – August 21 – September 22, 2025

ACEHD is considering re-opening the softball field for use. We invite you to review and comment on the Surface Soil Sampling Data, Softball Field Maintenance Guide and Health Risk Assessment described below.

All comments must be received by 5 p.m. on September 30, 2025. Comments can be sent to:

Tracy Craig, Community Outreach
1900 Powell Street, Suite 700, Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 334-4866 or
tracy@craig-communications.com

Community Meeting – Thursday, September 4 at 6:00 p.m.

You are invited to attend a public meeting to learn more about Site conditions, the Health Risk Assessment and ACEHD’s decision-making process to re-open the softball field. There will be time set aside to answer questions and accept public comments on the plan.

When: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m.
Join via Zoom: https://tinyurl.com/AlamedaHS-Mtg
Join by Phone: Dial 1-669-900-9128 and enter meeting ID: 863 0897 6621#
Please contact Tracy Craig at 510-334-4866 or tracy@craig-communications.com if you need assistance
accessing the meeting.

SITE BACKGROUND
Environmental investigations conducted during construction of the new swim center project in 2024 and 2025 found elevated levels of pesticides, petroleum products, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals in native soil and fill material, and metals, chloroform and petroleum in groundwater. Given the proximity of the softball field and soil contamination to the new swim center construction work, ACEHD required AUSD to collect additional soil samples in the softball field and the area where a new tennis court will be constructed to evaluate if contamination extends beneath these areas and the potential risk to users of the softball field and construction and maintenance workers from potential chemicals of concern.

SOFTBALL FIELD & NEW TENNIS COURT SOIL SAMPLING RESULTS AND HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSEESSMENT

AUSD’s environmental consultant collected 16 surface soil samples throughout the softball field and adjacent tennis court area. Metals and petroleum constituents were detected in the top 2.5 feet of soil in the softball field at concentrations exceeding the 2025 San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Environmental Screening Levels (ESLs) for residential direct exposure human health risk, but below the commercial and construction worker direct exposure ESLs. Metals have also been detected in deeper soil (greater than 2.5 feet) at concentrations exceeding residential, commercial and/or construction worker direct exposure ESLs. Hexavalent chromium was also detected in surface soil samples in the new tennis court area adjacent to the softball field above residential ESLs but below commercial and construction worker ESLs.

ESLs serve as an aid in assessing risk to human health or the environment. Sites that are adequately characterized with chemical concentration data below the ESLs most likely do not pose a significant threat to human health or the environment. The presence of a chemical at concentrations exceeding an ESL does not necessarily indicate adverse effects on human health or the environment, but rather that additional evaluation is warranted. Residential ESLs are used as a preliminary assessment to identify potential risks at school sites. Due to concentrations of metals and petroleum exceeding residential direct contact ESLs in shallow soil in the softball field area and the new tennis court area, a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) was prepared by AUSD using guidelines provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for evaluating school-based exposures and risks. The HHRA indicates that the risks posed by the concentrations of metals and petroleum in soil in the softball field and new tennis court areas do not pose a significant human health risk to student, staff and maintenance workers at the Site. Therefore, ACEHD is considering providing clearance to AUSD to open the softball field for use with the condition that the softball field surface covering (turf and infield dirt) and irrigation system is maintained and repair work is limited to the upper 2.5 feet to prevent contact with deeper contaminated soil in accordance with the AUSD’s Softball Field Maintenance Guide.

Until the HHRA has been approved by ACEHD and a thirty day public comment period on the HHRA has been completed, ACEHD has required AUSD to fence off the softball field and the new tennis court areas and maintain the softball field turf and infield dirt and the temporary cover over the soil in the new tennis court area, to restrict access and prevent direct contact with soil and migration of metals and petroleum in surface water or dust onto adjacent areas of the Site or off-site. ACEHD has also required AUSD to fence and cover the new tennis court area to restrict access to the soil and prevent migration of hexavalent chromium in surface water or dust to the adjacent softball field. This area will be permanently covered with clean soil and hardscape as part of the swim center construction project.
After the swim center project is complete, AUSD will update the Sitewide Soil and Groundwater Management Plan to detail how impacted soil in the softball field, tennis court and swim center construction areas will be handled and managed to provide long-term protection of public health and the environment.

NEXT STEPS
ACEHD is accepting public input from August 21 to September 30, 2025 on the agency’s consideration to re-open the softball field and the environmental decision-making process. The agency is hosting a public meeting Thursday, September 4 to describe the Site conditions and health risk assessment that support this decision, answer questions and accept comments. Meeting details can be found on the first page of this fact sheet. ACEHD will review and consider all public comments. ACEHD will issue a Response to Comments document to all those who commented and provided contact information. Based on the comments received, ACEHD will make a final determination to open the softball field for use.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
You are invited to review the case file for the Alameda High School Swim Center project, including the following documents prepared by Kleinfelder on behalf of AUSD:

• Surface Soil Sampling Data Deliverable, dated July 30, 2025
• Softball Field Human Health Risk Assessment, dated August 18, 2025 (pending)
• Softball Field Soil Maintenance Guide, dated July 30, 2025

These documents are available online at the State Water Resources Control Board GeoTracker website at https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov and searching for the address “2253 Encinal Avenue, Alameda.”

Questions or Concerns

ACEHD and AUSD welcome your questions, comments, or concerns. For more information please contact:

Tracy Craig
(510) 334-4866 (24/7)
tracy@craig-communications.com

September 4, 2025 Community Meeting

On September 4, 2025, the Alameda County Environmental Health Department held a community meeting to discuss the results of the softball field investigation, outline next steps, answer questions, and collect feedback.

The public is invited to review:

The presentation from the meeting
The August ACEHD Fact Sheet (see above)

The public is also invited to review:

Surface Soil Sampling Data Deliverable, dated July 30, 2025
Softball Field Human Health Risk Assessment, dated August 18, 2025 (pending)
Softball Field Soil Maintenance Guide, dated July 30, 2025

The comment period will remain open until September 22, 2025. Comments and questions can be sent to:

Tracy Craig
(510) 334-4866 (24/7)
tracy@craig-communications.com

Board Presentations

Alameda High School Swim Center Schematic Design Board Presentation - Approved June 27, 2023

Design Committee Meeting Notes

meeting no. 1 - Feb 22, 2023 meeting no. 2 - april 6, 2023 meeting no, 3 - may 2, 2023