At the Feb. 11 meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed a possible renovation of the municipal pool that would include removing and reconstructing existing pool finishes, expanding the shallow/wading area by up to about 20 feet, adding shade structures and modest water features, and upgrading filtration and chemical treatment with automated dosing and UV disinfection.

Why it matters: the changes under consideration would be capital improvements with implications for accessibility compliance, ongoing chemical management and long‑term maintenance costs.

What commissioners and staff said
Staff and commissioners discussed the merits of enlarging a shallow “wait‑in” area to improve family use and to replace step entries with wider gradual entries. Multiple participants noted that larger shallow areas are a current trend and could increase appeal to families. Staff reported they are waiting on a third contractor quote and expect to select a contractor and bring recommended plans and costs back to the commission.

Technical and compliance concerns
A commissioner warned that expanding the pool footprint could affect the facility’s existing “grandfather” status for accessibility equipment. That commissioner referenced a nearby jurisdiction, saying Smith County had to add an electric pool lift after making certain changes. Staff also raised logistics for installing a larger automated chemical and dosing system: the transcript references a figure of $22,000 associated with a treatment system component, and staff noted there is limited space in the existing equipment room and that some building extension or reconfiguration would likely be required.

No formal action
Commissioners asked staff to obtain additional quotes and design options. There was discussion of whether to remove and replace the existing splash pad features versus a full rebuild; no formal vote or capital appropriation was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps
Staff will collect remaining contractor quotes, confirm mechanical and ADA implications, and report back with recommended designs and cost estimates for commission review.