Wheat Ridge launches community engagement for Anderson Park pool replacement; short‑term repairs estimated at $1.1M

Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation staff told council Monday that Anderson Park outdoor pool, originally built in 1979 and revised in 2008, is nearing the end of its useful life and is likely to require full replacement within three to five years.

Sarah Heisdorfer, aquatic supervisor, said a 2023 contractor assessment identified $1.1 million in short‑term investments needed to keep the pool operating safely, but the assessment also indicated those repairs would not address the older structural issues that argue for a full replacement. The city launched a community engagement process April–Aug 15, 2025, to gauge public support for replacement versus closure and to collect preferences on amenities a replacement pool should include.

“We completed seven clean‑pipe repairs in spring 2024 on the family pool alone,” Heisdorfer said, describing repeated leaks tied to an original 1979 slab, a high water table and pipe failures. She said the 2008 renovations left infrastructure that is not adequate for current commercial use: “the family pool was built and doweled onto the existing pool slab from 1979 . . . the age and movement of the slab combined with a high water table has led to significant damage to the pipes that serve the family pool.”

Staff outlined a public engagement plan that includes an online survey (What’s Up Wheat Ridge page live March 31, 2025), tabling at pool‑season events and community festivals, outreach to stakeholder groups (swim teams, swim lesson providers, camps and service organizations), school visits and a targeted effort to collect a representative mix of perspectives. Planners said the engagement will feed design priorities if the community supports replacement, and that a future design phase would include additional rounds of public review.

Brandon (grant administrator) told council staff will apply for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant — a competitive program under the Land and Water Conservation Fund — if the program opens as scheduled in August 2025. He noted that the original Anderson Pool was built with LWCF support in 1977 and that ORLP awards are intended for larger projects; staff described limited federal grant opportunities for pool projects but said ORLP is a possible fit.

Staff outlined limitations and constraints: the pool site is hemmed in by park facilities and cannot easily expand without losing a full‑size soccer field or affecting other park amenities; the building was renovated in 2019 but the pool deck and original mechanical room (from 1977) need replacement; and the project must meet accessibility standards. Staff gave a preliminary cost range for a full replacement of roughly $10–15 million and estimated design costs in the neighborhood of $1 million, noting final cost depends on chosen amenities and market conditions.

Councilors asked about user counts and financing options such as Certificates of Participation, partnerships, sponsorships or private operation models. Staff said Anderson Pool recorded just under 25,000 visits in 2024 (does not include team‑accounted visits) and reiterated that the engagement effort will identify amenity priorities before design. Councilors suggested hosting on‑site community events and exploring public‑private partnership models, naming rights and other funding tools as part of the analysis.

The engagement survey was live at the time of the meeting; staff encouraged the public to respond and said they will return to council with results and design recommendations if the community supports replacement. No decision to fund or start construction was made; staff said funding must be identified before a construction timeline can be set.