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Parks director warns aging pool infrastructure will require costly repairs; council hears options
Summary
At Princeton’s 2026 budget hearing, the parks director outlined multiple pool repairs — missing tile, worn surfaces and failed bearings — and told the council he will provide photos and cost estimates; he also flagged playground grants, tennis court repair and how concession start‑up costs are recorded in the Park fund.
The parks director told the council during the 2026 budget hearing that the city’s outdoor pool is showing age and will need several substantial repairs, and he will provide photos and detailed estimates at the next meeting. He said missing edge tiles, recurring surface repairs and failed bearings on a large play bucket were among the most urgent items and recommended purchasing some chemicals this fiscal year to reduce next year’s purchasing burden.
Why it matters: Pool operations have high fixed costs — insurance, electricity and water — and the director said the facility rarely breaks even. Decisions about one‑time repairs versus a full surface removal and repainting carry different maintenance profiles and long‑term costs.
The parks director outlined the tradeoffs: ongoing patch repairs have allowed the pool to remain usable but recurring tile loss suggests the original ceramic tile was not ideal for outdoor exposure. He said one option is to remove tile and plaster down to concrete and paint a surface that would require periodic repainting rather than persistent tile repairs. He reported having a tile contractor assess the surface and suggested bringing in a manufacturer representative for a second opinion.
On funding and operations, the parks director said the stand‑up cost to start concessions is typically budgeted at $20,000, but accounting and appropriation presentation can make the line look negative when inventory purchases occur before receipts are posted; receipts are returned to the Park fund once the season produces revenue. He reported a recent start‑up that showed $21,156 spent against a $20,000 appropriation and described how the fund accounting works.
The director also flagged other park needs: proposed playground equipment tied to a grant match, landscaping and retaining wall work near a lodge, and tennis/pickleball court surface problems with edges lifting. He urged the council to consider equitable investments in Southside and Lincoln parks and suggested consulting the local park board before final project decisions.
The parks director said he will return with photos and line‑item cost estimates at the council’s next scheduled reconvening. The hearing recessed with parks staff tasked to supply the requested documentation.
"Some of the surface we've had repaired…almost seems like that needs to be done again," the parks director said, describing the recurring tile issues.
