Memphis parks committee OKs $600,624 transfer to repair Westwood Pool

The Memphis City Council Parks Committee approved a budget-neutral transfer of $600,624 on Feb. 4 to pay for repairs and reconstruction at Westwood Pool in District 6. The committee voted without opposition to move the allocation to the full council with a favorable recommendation.

Antonio Adams, chief operating officer for the City of Memphis, told the committee the funds come from surplus dollars in prior completed capital improvement projects and that the transfer is intended to reopen and upgrade the pool that has been closed “since pre COVID.” Adams described the transfer as "a budget neutral request" and said staff would provide details about the source projects later.

Committee members emphasized the pool’s importance to neighborhood recreation and summer camp operations. Councilwoman Cooper Sutton said she had heard the pool was a major campaign issue in the area and asked staff to provide the specific project line items that freed the cash. Councilman Ford pressed for timeliness, saying pool repairs were overdue. The committee also asked about lifeguard staffing; Adams said parks is conducting an “evergreen search” for lifeguards and is working with the YMCA and other community groups to expand the labor pool.

The motion to approve the transfer was moved by Councilman Ford and seconded by Councilwoman Swearington Washington; the committee gave a unanimous favorable recommendation.

The transfer will route to the full council for final approval; committee members asked administration staff to return with a breakdown showing which completed CIP projects produced the surplus funds and a timetable for repair work so the pool can reopen before summer programs begin.

Funding and oversight questions remained, and council members requested greater transparency on which prior projects produced the surplus and when repairs will begin.