A Local’s Journey to Giving Back: Meet the Project Manager Behind the Eagle Pool Transformation
At Mountain Recreation, we’re counting the days to one of the most exciting milestones for our staff and community—completing the Eagle Pool Replacement Project this spring. Executing a project of this scale takes a dedicated team, and overseeing this transformation is JHL Constructors. Diego Rodriguez, the project manager for the pool project, is at the forefront for JHL. Diego’s story is one of inspiration—a local who pursued his dreams, gained valuable experience and returned to his hometown to give back in a meaningful way. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Diego and share his personal and professional journey within our community.
At 10 years old, Diego moved to Eagle County with his family in 2006. Soccer quickly became his passion. He participated in afterschool programs, played and coached at the Vail Valley Soccer Club from 2008-18 and competed with the Battle Mountain High School (BMHS) soccer team.
One of Diego’s proudest memories growing up in Eagle County was in 2012, during his senior year, when the BMHS soccer team had an undefeated season and claimed the state championship. Diego, the team captain and center midfielder, credits this soccer experience in the valley for teaching him discipline. His success on the soccer field earned him a full-ride Guardian Scholarship to Colorado Mesa University. Though initially undecided about his career path, an internship with a local construction company sparked his interest in construction management. Diego graduated with honors and earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management in 2017.
Now, with nine years of experience in the construction industry, Diego’s role as a project manager includes overseeing pre-construction and construction operations, managing subcontractors and trade partners, coordinating equipment and materials and ensuring budgets, schedules and documentation are on track.
Diego first learned about the Eagle Pool Replacement Project through Dynamic Program Management, which immediately captured his personal and professional interest. “It was exciting for our team to compete for this project,” Diego shared. “Coming back to my hometown made it even more special, especially for my mom, who was thrilled to have me back in town. This project means so much to me because it’s for the community that shaped me. Knowing I can give back fills me with pride and I can’t wait to see my nephews enjoying the pool, knowing their uncle helped make it happen.”
So far, Diego’s most memorable milestone with the project was completing the concrete shells and structures before Christmas—a significant achievement. Since May 2024, Diego and his team have worked tirelessly on the project, enduring scorching summer heat and freezing winter temperatures. Want to see how far we’ve come and where we’re going? Check out the project timeline here.
Reflecting on the journey, Diego expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that have made this project successful. He thanked the Town of Eagle, Mountain Rec and Dynamic Program Management staff for their exceptional partnership. “When you have clients like these, it makes your job much easier,” Diego said. “The bond and communication within the team have been incredible, and it’s been a pleasure working with everyone involved.”
Set to open Memorial Day weekend, Mountain Rec and the town have collaborated to complete the project with the community in mind. The facility will feature a lazy river and leisure pool, a separate six-lane lap pool and two water slides, all priorities identified in a 2023 community survey. Diego highlights the addition of the water slides, which were unfunded at the beginning of the construction, as a testament to Mountain Rec and the town’s commitment to fulfilling the community’s desires. Beyond these exciting additions, the new pool will be a hub for the community to cool off during the summer, take their first swim lessons, and for athletes to train in a state-of-the-art environment.
As we all look forward to the grand reopening of the Eagle Pool, it’s clear that projects like this thrive because of the dedication and passion of individuals like Diego. His journey reminds us of the powerful impact that giving back can have on a community and personal growth and fulfillment.
If you, like Diego, feel inspired to make a difference in your community, we invite you to join the Mountain Rec team as a lifeguard. To prepare for the reopening, we’re expanding our lifeguard training programs to build an incredible team for summer 2025—and we’d love for you to be part of this exciting journey.
Why lifeguard with us? Many of our team members have discovered more than just a job—they’ve found a passion for aquatics, an opportunity to positively impact the community, and lifelong friendships within the Mountain Rec aquatics department. Together, we can create a safe, welcoming space where everyone can live a healthy and happy life.