Lake Havasu City hears strong public demand for second pool; council directs staff to continue planning

Dozens of residents and recreational leaders on April 8 urged the Lake Havasu City Council to move forward on a second outdoor pool, and council members directed staff to continue planning and to present additional details during the upcoming budget work session.

The item, presented at the request of Vice Mayor Michelle Lynn, opened with a brief review of prior discussion and the city’s five-year capital improvement plan, which currently lists $2,500,000 for a second pool in fiscal year 2025–26. Parks staff and the city manager said the amount is intended to fund a 25‑meter by 25‑yard pool sited at the existing aquatic center, with staff noting that a larger 50‑meter facility would have a significantly larger footprint and cost estimate (staff cited a ballpark of roughly $6–6.5 million for a 50‑meter pool).

Parks staff outlined day‑to‑day needs: constrained swim lesson slots, crowded lap-swim hours, and limited space for adaptive and adult classes. “We have a huge need for swim lessons for our children… registration fills within the same day,” Parks staff member Gabby Farrah said.

Speakers included longtime aquatic instructors, parents, swim-coach representatives, a physical therapy clinic director and the president of the Lake Havasu Unified School District governing board. Many said the existing indoor pool is maxed out and that a second pool would expand swim lessons, lifeguard training, therapy, lap swim and swim-team practice. Rick Wheeler, head coach for the Sabazoo Stingrays, and several youth athletes urged a facility that would allow proper competitive training and potential meets. “A second pool would make a big difference by creating more space for everyone,” youth speaker Brandon said.

School board president David Rose told the council the district has held informal discussions about partnerships but cannot invest district funds in property it does not own; he said the board is open to conversations about partnership models that could include bonds or donated funds.

Council members discussed trade-offs between a smaller, sooner project and a larger, more expensive facility that could host championships and draw outside events. Several council members said they want to keep momentum and asked staff to proceed with procurement steps so design work can begin after the fiscal year begins July 1, if council keeps the project in year 1 of the CIP. Staff told the council they are prepared to issue a solicitation for design services once council confirms location and size.

No formal resolution or ordinance was adopted on the pool item tonight; the council agreed to continue planning work and to review more detailed budget and personnel cost breakdowns at the April 10 budget work session. Staff also agreed to provide the council with more granular estimates of operating costs, lifeguard and maintenance staffing needs, and options for partnerships and alternative sites.