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City moves ahead with Marion Criner pool renovation, skate park and master plan for North Casper athletic complex
Summary
City staff reported plans to close Marion Criner pool for this season to replace mechanical systems and renovate the pool building, continue the splash pad if safe, award contracts for a skate park and pump track, and begin a master plan to prioritize $2.8 million in North Casper athletic complex improvements.
Parks staff told the Casper City Council they will close the Marion Criner pool for the coming season so crews can replace the pool’s filtration system, boiler and other mechanical components and renovate the 1960s-era pool building; staff said the splash pad will remain open while construction does not create safety risks.
“Because we're gonna be looking at those mechanical components, it's much better to have it pulled down, and close for the season so that we can get in there, get those repairs done, and then start the renovation on the actual building itself,” Parks Director Zulema said, adding that the splash pad hours would be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. while it remains open.
Staff said American Ramp Company is under contract to install skate-park components and that a separate contract was awarded for the skate-park concrete work; the pump track will sit north of the skate park, all on the Marion Criner park site north of the pool and south of Matt Canfield Park. The parks presentation noted some playground removal and site cleanup already done as in-kind match.
For the broader North Casper Athletic Complex, staff reported a $2.8 million award through the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Grant Program to fund improvements but said that amount will not cover all needs across the complex. The city contracted CEPI with RDG planning and design as a subconsultant to produce a master plan; staff said they will prioritize near-term investments (lighting at Taney Fields, bathroom/concession replacements, dugout replacements, backstop and safety-net work at Field of Dreams, and surfacing at Wells Park) based on that plan.
Councilors asked about communications to North Casper residents; staff said the public engagement team would push notices via social media and point-of-sale records, and they can use targeted outreach to neighborhood residents. Councilors also asked about timing for July 4 events; staff said some construction might still be underway but major recreational amenities at Matt Canfield Park would remain available.
Staff did not request a formal council vote at the briefing; they provided project status, timelines and next steps, and asked councilors to direct further questions to Parks staff if needed.
