Residents urge council to rebuild C.C. Augustus pool, cite equity and access concerns

Several residents of the Park Hill neighborhood urged the Tupelo City Council on public comment to repair or replace the C.C. Augustus Center swimming pool and to prioritize access for local children.

Phyllis A. Sims, a lifelong Tupelo resident, told the council the pool is facing closure because of maintenance needs and a lack of city funds and asked officials to “build us a new pool and a splash pad.” Sims said residents were told the repair amount is “unknown” and asked the council and mayor to seek state and national funding as well as reallocate city budget resources to restore the facility.

Kenneth Mayfield and Kelvin Buck echoed Sims, saying the pool and nearby park maintenance are important to Park Hill’s future. Mayfield pressed the city to contract out persistent mowing problems in a part of City Park that requires specialized equipment, saying local contractors had offered competitive rates. Buck asked the council to review the capital budget and five‑year plan to consider funding for a new pool or upgraded facilities that residents could more easily reach.

Jim Newman, who said he lives in the district and is recovering from an injury, told the council the pool has been closed for two years and said he had been told the aquatic center offers public swimming only on weekends. He urged the council to begin deconstructing the old pool now so bids and construction for a replacement could proceed and a pool could open next year.

No council action was taken during public comment. The comments were registered during the public‑comment portion of the meeting and will be available in the meeting record for follow up by staff and council.