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Staff outlines 2026 aquatic schedule; Northside Pool slated to remain closed, major repairs budgeted in CIP
Summary
Parks staff presented a 2026 aquatic schedule that increases open days to 77 and moves some evening lessons after Northside Pool closure; Northside is slated to remain closed for 2026 with about $1,000,000 requested in the 2028 CIP for repairs and a $400,000 request noted for Veterans Pool in 2029.
Parks and Recreation staff on Jan. 15 briefed the board on the 2026 aquatic season schedule and current pool conditions, saying pools are planned to be open roughly 77 days in 2026 compared with 72 in 2025 and that the earliest feasible opening for training and staffing would be Monday, June 1.
Staff said evening swim lessons previously offered at Northside Pool have been shifted, in part, to Veterans Memorial Pool after Northside's closure. "As of right now, the Northside pool is slated to be closed for 2026," Jay, a parks staff member, told commissioners, adding that closing the pool yields approximately $100,000 in operational cost savings for the department. Jay said a request for $1,000,000 is included in the 2028 capital improvement plan to address major repairs at Northside (liner, HVAC, roof) and that staff is exploring possible partnership agreements with the school district for a city–school pool arrangement.
Staff described Erickson Pool as remodeled in 2025 with annual maintenance ongoing. For Veterans Memorial Pool, staff said surface and concrete issues remain; the capital plan includes a $400,000 request in 2029 to address some of those larger repairs, while routine maintenance such as caulking, painting and cleaning will occur ahead of the 2026 season. The schedule presented balances school calendars and staffing constraints — staff said about 95% of pool staff are high school students — and attempts to concentrate open hours to maintain a consistent daily average of about eight hours.
This was an informational presentation; no board vote was taken. Staff will continue maintenance work and report back as needed during the CIP and budget process.
