Thermal Beach Club in Hot Water

The Thermal Beach Club, a giant private residential community surrounding a large wave pool, is running into resistance from local residents. At a heated Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on November 19th, Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez requested a continuance to delay the voting that would be required for the project to move forward.

The Thermal Beach Club would be part of the Kohl Ranch property.

Housing and water shortages were the primary concerns raised by the local community.

One opponent said “The community he’s [Supervisor Perez is] supposed to be representing does not have affordable housing and yet this development is being prioritized? We’re not over-reacting, Mr. Perez. We need you to do your job.”

Kohl Ranch Attorney Jeff Dinkin responded by saying “No one has been kicked out. This is our property that’s been in the Kohl family for 40 years….We support the development of affordable housing … But 100 acres is not going to solve our regional problem.”

According to the Desert Sun, the project is relying on an Environmental Impact Report from 1999. But proponents’ claims that the development would require less water than the region’s golf courses.

“Is that the standard we want to use when we’re discussing this,” Nina Waszak, the Valley’s Waterkeeper, asked “90 million gallons, can we really afford that?”

Waszak said that the 22-acre lagoon would divert the canal water Valley uses to to recharge the aquifer that supplies the region’s drinking water.

Additionally, the community expressed concern with lack of engagement from Supervisor Perez.

“The community has requested to meet with Supervisor Victor Manuel Perez, but his office has yet to reply. It seems to me like he’s avoiding accountability,” one local resident said during a lengthy and emotional public comment.

Supervisor Perez agreed to delay the vote and claims to be committed to facilitating a dialog between the community and the Thermal Beach Club developers.