Advisory board backs applying for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to renovate MLK Pool

The Key West Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on Nov. 17 approved staff’s request to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant to renovate the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool.

City staff said the MLK pool is an older, historic structure that will likely require sewer and plumbing repairs and other unforeseen work when construction starts. Keith told the board staff had identified a grant opportunity with a maximum award of $1,500,000 and a required fifty‑fifty match for the renovation project. "We have identified the Land and Water Conservation Grama that has a maximum award of $1,500,000 with a fiftyfifty match for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool renovation project," Keith said in the staff presentation.

The presentation identified improvements under consideration including hurricane‑rated windows, a second‑floor build‑out for lifeguard staff and decking repairs. Staff noted a required public meeting for the LWCF application on Nov. 25 and asked the advisory board to support applying; the board moved and the roll call in the transcript recorded unanimous Yes votes from members who answered.

Board members asked for clarification on costs and the extent of probable structural work; staff said consultants’ estimates flagged sewer and plumbing issues that were not visible during initial inspections and that the project could reveal additional historic‑age problems once work begins. The advisory board’s approval supports the city’s application but does not itself appropriate matching funds; any required match and project authorization would be considered in future budget or commission actions.