Sonoma pool group gets extension for property deal

Advocates for a community pool will have another month to try to work out a loan deal with Sonoma officials and close on a property in The Springs area of Sonoma Valley.

The owners of the former Paul’s Resort, where the Sonoma Valley Health and Recreation Association wants to build a multimillion-dollar aquatic center with two full-size pools, a gym and multipurpose rooms, extended the deadline to Oct. 31, according to board president Paul Favaro. The extension buys the group more time to strike a loan deal with the Sonoma City Council.

The nonprofit turned to council members last month after it fell short of the $1.7 million needed to close on the El Verano property, which in its heyday was a popular dance hall, eatery and holiday destination. Although the group raised more than $1 million in a few months, it still needs $500,000 to move forward.

If the loan is approved, Favaro said, construction of the pools would begin within a year of the land purchase. It’s expected to cost a $10 million to $12 million to build. The money shouldn’t be difficult to raise once the association buys the property, he said.

“There are a number of (potential) donors who are waiting to see if this is a viable project,” Favaro said.

Yvonne Marcucci-Thibault, who inherited the 6-acre property from her father, said she extended the closing deadline because of family travel commitments. She said her husband, Roland, is planning a trip to New Hampshire to visit his sister and wanted to wait until he returned to close escrow.

“It’s hard to conduct business long distance,” Marcucci-Thibault said, adding that she’s confident the nonprofit group will work out a deal with the city.

“I see them working at it,” she said. “I’m sure it’ll work out. Things need time. And that’s fine with me.”

It’s the second extension the association has received from her in two months. She granted it the first extension in August to give city officials time to discuss the terms of a possible loan.

The council held a special meeting last month to discuss what terms they wanted to see in a contract. After two hours tackling questions about how the group could pay back the money, when interest rates would kick in and how soon the pool should open, no final decision on a loan was made.

However, the council delegated Councilman Steve Barbose, a real estate attorney, to work with Favaro’s group on putting together a contract to later bring before the council for a vote.

“Those documents are working their way through,” Barbose said during a city meeting Monday. “I’m very optimistic that the deal will get done.”

The association hoped to pay back part of the loan through free swim lessons, particularly for children from low-income families.

Mayor Tom Rouse, who sits on the nonprofit group’s board along with fellow Councilman Ken Brown, said the contract should come up for discussion at the next council meeting Oct. 20.

“It’s all about safety. It’s not just a luxury item,” Rouse said about the proposed aquatic center. “It’s necessary.”

Rouse and Brown recused themselves from the loan discussions because of the potential conflict of interest. The decision will rest with members Barbose, Laurie Gallian and David Cook.

“Things are looking very positive,” Cook said. “They’re moving forward.”

You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez?@pressdemocrat.com.