Pueblo West closes 53‑year‑old outdoor pool for the season; staff to scope piping and revisit indoor aquatic options

Pueblo West’s Parks and Recreation director Carol Cosby told the board the district closed the community outdoor pool for the season after pump and filtration failures that left the water cloudy and unsafe.

Cosby said the pool is 53 years old and that piping in the pump room includes cast‑iron sections likely contributing to failures. A pump and motor installed in 2023 failed after roughly five months of operation this season; staff obtained a replacement‑pump quote of about $5,700 (parts only) but were advised that simply replacing the pump may not be a durable fix because debris and pipe breaks are allowing air and solids into the system.

“Once we confirm the pump and filtration systems are running, we bring out a boiler contractor…,” Cosby said in explaining the start‑up process. After staff observed repeated pump problems and cloudy water, they decided to close the outdoor pool for the season and bring in contractors to scope return lines and identify breaks. Cosby said staff will use those findings to develop estimates for potential repairs or a replacement plan to be considered in the 2026 budget cycle.

District Manager Christian J. Hine reminded the board of ongoing planning for an indoor aquatic facility: staff estimates a phase‑1 indoor lap pool at about $8.9 million (roughly $733 per square foot) and a full aquatic center in the neighborhood of $15 million (roughly $856 per square foot). Board members discussed whether to make limited repairs to keep the outdoor pool operational short‑term or accelerate the indoor project; staff said they will gather cost information and options.

Next steps: staff will procure line‑scoping services to identify pipe breaks, return a repair vs. replacement cost estimate for 2026 budgeting, and continue planning and phasing work on an indoor aquatic facility option.