Council authorizes $2 million private investment and partnership to renovate Lake Johnson pool

City Council authorized the city manager to execute a partnership agreement allowing a private group to invest in upgrades to the 40-year-old Lake Johnson pool and operate portions of the facility under a nine-year agreement.

Ken Hissler, assistant director for Raleigh Parks, told council the partner will bring a $2,000,000 investment to upgrade the pool shell, systems and related infrastructure. "The partnership is the the other group will bring, a $2,000,000 investment to invest in our 40 year old pool that will include upgraded the existing pool shell, upgraded pool systems, and infrastructure," Hissler said. (Ken Hissler, Assistant Director, Raleigh Parks.)

Agreement details and public access

- Term: staff said the license agreement term is nine years.

- Investment: partner commits $2,000,000 for pool replacement and system upgrades; the city will invest in bathhouse improvements in preparation for the partnership.

- Operations: the partner will staff and provide certified lifeguards during the partner’s scheduled use; the city will continue to manage the pool and provide lifeguards and front-desk staff during city-run public hours.

- Expanded hours and use: staff said the partnership would enable a year-round heated pool option and increase total hours of public access compared with the current seasonal schedule. As part of the arrangement, the partner agreed to provide two lanes for public lap swimming from 9 to 10 a.m. during summer hours when the partner is using the facility.

- Timeline: staff said construction would occur later in the calendar year if not completed before the summer season; if necessary, the city would operate the pool for the coming summer and begin construction after Labor Day.

Council action

Councilor [name not specified in the public transcript] moved to authorize the city manager to execute the agreement; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters

The partnership is intended to extend the useful life of the Lake Johnson pool, increase year-round aquatics options and expand lap-swim and public access hours through private investment coupled with continued city stewardship. The agreement shifts some operational responsibilities to the partner during their access periods while preserving public access commitments and city management for public sessions.

This article uses direct quotes and program descriptions provided by Raleigh Parks staff during the Oct. 21 council meeting.