The city of Carpinteria is opening the Carpinteria Community Pool Project Capital Campaign, a major fundraising effort to support critical improvements needed to preserve and extend the life of the community pool.
The fundraising goal is about $3.3 million, based on preliminary construction estimates and current project timelines. Through early community support and grant funding, the project has already secured about $374,000 towards its goal.
Any additional funds will be placed into a capital improvement fund for maintenance, repairs, and future improvements specifically for the pool.
As part of the campaign, the city has introduced a new project website KeepCarpSwimming.org, where community members can learn about the project, follow updates, and find ways to support the effort.
“The Carpinteria Community Pool is a valued community asset that has provided generations of residents with opportunities for recreation, fitness, swim instruction, and community connection,” officials said.
The capital improvement project is focused on maintaining and improving the existing facility by addressing aging equipment and infrastructure, meeting current operational and safety requirements, and ensuring the pool can continue serving the community into the future, the city said.
“This project is not a redesign of the pool facility,” officials said. “It is a focused effort to make essential improvements that will help preserve the pool and support continued operations for years to come.
“Without these improvements, maintaining the pool as a safe, compliant, and reliable community resource will become increasingly challenging.”
“The Carpinteria Community Pool has been a cornerstone of our Parks, Recreation, and Community Services programs for many years,” said Jeanette Gant, the city’s director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services.
“This campaign gives our community an opportunity to come together to protect an important resource that serves thousands of residents each year,” she said. “These improvements are necessary to keep the pool open, safe, and available for future generations.
“We are incredibly grateful to the individuals, organizations, and grant partners who have already stepped forward to support this effort.”
“The Carpinteria Community Pool has been a gathering place for our community for generations, and this campaign represents an opportunity for all of us to help protect this important resource,” said Carpinteria City Manager Michael Ramirez.
“The city is grateful to the individuals, organizations, and grant partners who have already stepped forward to support this effort,” he said. “Reaching our fundraising goal will require a true community partnership, and we invite residents, businesses, and community members to join us in keeping Carpinteria swimming for years to come.”
The city thanks community members and organizations that have already contributed to the project, including the Ann Jackson Family Foundation, the Bliss Family, and Marilyn Jenkins, as well as grant partners LaCentra-Sumerlin Foundation, and the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation.
Throughout the year, the city said it will host additional fundraising opportunities and events to help raise awareness and support for the campaign.
For more about the project, access donation information, and learn about ways to get involved , visit visit KeepCarpSwimming.org.
The project is expected to require a temporary pool closure of about six months, currently anticipated during winter 2027-28, to allow construction improvements to take place safely and efficiently.
All donations supporting the Carpinteria Community Pool Project capital campaign are being facilitated through the Community Access & Recreation Projects Fund (CARP Fund) via the Santa Barbara Foundation, the project’s 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
The Santa Barbara Foundation receives all contributions and oversees the distribution of funds to ensure they are used in accordance with the goals and intentions of the project.
To make a tax-deductible contribution, donors may use the following options:
Credit Card Donations:
Visit the project listing page to make a secure online gift. A dedicated donation landing page is being developed in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation.
Check Donations: Make checks payable to Santa Barbara Foundation and include “CARP Fund” in the memo line. Mail contributions to: Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala St., Ste. 200 , Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Gifts of Stock or Other Assets: Contact Jessica Sanchez, senior director of donor relations, 805-880-9366 or jsanchez@sbfoundation.org.
Donor Advised Fund Contributions: Donors may also support the project through donor advised fund contributions designated for the CARP Fund.
The Santa Barbara Foundation serves as the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for the Carpinteria Community Pool Project capital campaign. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.