City says pump and electrical problems keep Aquatic Center activity pool closed; city estimates repairs in weeks

Several senior residents told the Las Cruces City Council on Sept. 2 the Aquatic Center’s warm/activity pool has been unusable for weeks and raised health and safety concerns about stagnant water. City staff said the closure is driven by an electrical-panel failure and a specialized pump issue; vendors are evaluating repair and replacement options.

Why it matters: Seniors and others who use the warm pool said water exercise is essential for rehabilitation and mobility. City staff said crews are actively trying to restore the pool but replacement components and installation constraints are causing delays.

Residents Mary Ellen Boberg and Bob Hauck described repeated closures and said the warm pool has been inoperable “a month and a half, two months” and that standing water is becoming “very dark.” Boberg said some users cannot use the colder natatorium pool and asked the city to prioritize repairs. Hauck asked, “When will it be done? Is it being worked on?”

Interim Assistant City Manager David Sedillo provided an on-the-record update during public comment, saying the city is aware of “electrical and pump issues” and that a vendor inspected the old pump to see whether it could be repaired, while staff also explored replacement pumps. City Manager Ikani Tamupia later expanded on the operational details, telling council that a coil in the pump could not be repaired and that the specific pump size needed is no longer manufactured. That required either rebuilding the old pump with new coils or modifying infrastructure to accept a different spare pump. Tamupia said staff have solicited two vendor evaluations and estimated a 2–3 week repair timeline but cautioned that additional delays are possible because of civil work required to fit an alternative pump.

No formal council action was taken during the meeting. City staff offered to meet with concerned residents after the session and provide contact information for follow-up.

Ending: City staff committed to continuing vendor evaluations and to communicating directly with frequent users. The council did not adopt new funding or policy during the Sept. 2 meeting; staff described two near-term repair options and an estimated timeline contingent on parts and construction needs.