City Council explores options for Caveman Pool renovation and potential transfer to YMCA

The Grants Pass City Council workshop on April 14, 2025, focused primarily on the future of the Caveman Pool, a community facility that has faced ongoing maintenance and funding challenges. Park Superintendent Josh Hopkins presented an overview of the project, detailing the history of discussions and decisions surrounding the pool's renovation and potential replacement.

Hopkins highlighted that a citizen review team had previously recommended a new aquatics facility, leading to design efforts that began in October 2022. However, a special council meeting in January 2025 resulted in the halting of the new design work and the reallocation of funds initially designated for the pool project. Currently, only about $82,000 remains for the Caveman Pool, following significant expenditures on design options.

The council discussed various renovation options, including a recirculatory gutter system and a water slide, with estimated costs for repairs and upgrades reaching upwards of $500,000. The conversation also touched on the need for additional infrastructure improvements, such as replacing old boilers and filtration systems, which have been identified as critical issues.

A significant proposal emerged during the meeting, suggesting that the city consider transferring the management of the Caveman Pool to local organizations, such as the high school or the YMCA. Council members expressed interest in exploring this option further, with some indicating that such a transfer could open up new funding opportunities for repairs and maintenance.

The council agreed to reach out to these organizations to gauge their interest in taking over the pool's operations. This outreach will inform future discussions and potential workshops to further explore the feasibility of this transition.

In addition to the pool discussions, the council briefly addressed the ongoing situation regarding unhoused individuals in the community, emphasizing the need for temporary resting sites and the importance of aligning with recent court rulings. The council plans to review related ordinances and policies in upcoming meetings.

Overall, the workshop underscored the city's commitment to addressing community needs through infrastructure improvements while navigating financial constraints and exploring collaborative management solutions for public facilities. The next steps will involve outreach to potential partners and further discussions on the Caveman Pool's future.