Outdoor pool fails; staff says indoor aquatic center funding closer and will discuss conversion to splash pad

District staff told the board the outdoor pool’s filtration and pump system failed just before the spring opening and that the pool — built roughly 53 years ago — has recurring problems that likely indicate line breaks.

Project and operations staff described a motor replacement made recently and said contractors warned a new motor could cavitate and fail again within two to four weeks if underlying leaks or breaches in the piping aren’t located and repaired. Staff said the condition accelerated during spring startup, and the failure on June 2 forced the pool out of service.

Staff reminded the board that the indoor aquatic center project remains an active priority in the strategic plan and that TABOR‑designated reserves and other district funds have been accumulating toward that facility. District staff said the indoor aquatic center is currently costed at about $8.9 million for the phase presented to the board (primarily a lap/leisure facility without later leisure expansions) and that site selection is the next major step; several potential sites — including Spalding parcels and other district‑owned options — remain under consideration.

Staff said the district’s plan when an indoor facility opens would be to convert the older outdoor pool site to a splash pad, reusing some equipment where feasible. Staff proposed an upcoming packet update and focused discussion at a future meeting on the outdoor pool condition, estimated repair costs for pipe location and replacement, and timing relative to the indoor aquatic center timeline. Directors asked for public updates to avoid the impression that ballot‑funded aquatic‑center money is being diverted; staff replied that the TABOR set‑aside language was to reserve money for an aquatic center and that the district remains close to the funding needed for a build.