Lynchburg staff propose $9 million CIP shift to rebuild Miller Park Pool amid chronic leaks

City staff told the Lynchburg City Council work session on March 11 that they are proposing to move a major Miller Park Pool replacement project into fiscal 2026 and increase next year's capital budget by roughly $9 million to support a comprehensive rebuild rather than a series of repairs.

The recommendation came during a presentation by Wyatt, a city staff member who led the pool assessment. He said the current Miller Park Pool will be about 40 years old next year and reported nearly 15,000 visitors last year, including roughly 1,900 swim-team uses and about 784 swim lessons. Wyatt said staff and contractors have chased water leaks for more than three years and estimated that the pool has lost "over 800,000 gallons of water" during that period.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the existing facility is reaching the end of its useful life, has obsolete components for which parts are no longer available, and generates recurring maintenance costs and service interruptions. Staff presented conceptual designs that would retain the 50-meter competition pool, add a 25-meter lap area, expand play features and add accessible, zero-entry areas and larger shade structures.

Staff and council discussion: Wyatt described a contractor's concern that the pool's membrane may have failed or be failing, which could require extensive demolition to locate and replace and might not address underlying foundation or stability issues. "They're afraid that our our pool membrane has either failed or is failing," Wyatt said, adding that replacement could expose additional structural problems.

Several council members pressed staff for options and costs. Council member Luis asked for a clear comparison of targeted repairs (for example, privacy fencing and leak remediation) versus a full rebuild. "I'd like to know what the difference in price is between addressing the leak and doing the privacy fencing, which I think is a safety issue, versus the whole rebuild," he said.

Others emphasized access and equity. Council member Miss Ruth said many of the 15,000 visitors rely on the city pool as an affordable recreation option and urged the council to consider a full upgrade: "They deserve a nice, beautiful facility too," she said, adding that shade and accessibility improvements are priorities.

Costs and timeline: City staff said the recommendation is to move the project from fiscal 2027 into 2026 and that moving it earlier would limit the time the pool must be closed for construction. Donna Witt (city staff) told the council that, as drafted, the CIP would increase fiscal 2026 by about $9,000,000 predominantly for the pool while reducing 2027 by amounts already appropriated elsewhere; overall five-year CIP totals would decline by about $9.2 million due to prior appropriations and grant awards. Staff said specific bids and membrane-replacement estimates were still being developed and that they would return with price comparisons and more detailed funding timing.

What was not decided: Council did not vote on financing or on whether to rebuild versus repair on March 11. Staff positioned the item for future council direction and said the city would not borrow until the council authorizes moving forward with a project.

Next steps: Staff will provide a menu of options and cost comparisons, including targeted repairs and full replacement estimates, and return to council with a recommended procurement/timing approach and potential impacts to operating budgets and debt service.