City Council hires Caruthers Construction to assess Highland Park pool conditions

The Guthrie City Council held a special meeting on May 20, 2025, to discuss the future of the Highland Park pool, which has faced significant challenges since its closure in May 2023. The decision to close the pool was driven by a severe drought and a daily water loss of over 40,000 gallons, which the city has yet to identify. Additionally, the pool has consistently failed to meet full ADA accessibility standards, prompting concerns about its usability.

During the meeting, city officials reviewed findings from a recent evaluation conducted by Caruthers Construction Company. The evaluation revealed critical issues with the pool's plumbing system, which could not hold pressure during testing, indicating potential leaks. Furthermore, an assessment of the pool's concrete structure showed that approximately 19% of the pool floor had deteriorated, raising concerns about safety and integrity.

Caruthers presented three options for the pool's future. The first option involves replacing the entire facility at an estimated cost of $6.4 to $7.4 million. The second option suggests repairing the existing structure and replacing the piping, which would cost between $1.8 and $2.4 million but only extend the pool's life by 5 to 8 years. The third option would allow the pool to remain in its current state, accepting the ongoing water loss, which would result in over 4.5 million gallons of water loss during a typical swim season.

City officials emphasized the importance of balancing community needs for recreational facilities with the necessity of conserving water for consumption and fire protection. The council is expected to deliberate further on these options and their implications for the community in the coming weeks.