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Shrewsbury parks board flags major repairs, budget overruns at Aquatic Center
Summary
At its Oct. 15 meeting the Shrewsbury Parks Board heard from Chris Buck that the Aquatic Center faces multiple equipment failures and significant budget overruns — including skimmer-line repairs estimated at $250,000–$500,000 — and will pursue a feasibility study.
At the Oct. 15, 2025 meeting of the Shrewsbury Parks Board, board member Chris Buck reported multiple urgent maintenance needs at the city’s Aquatic Center and warned that repair costs have exceeded the department’s budget.
Buck said the leisure pool has several skimmer-line leaks with repair estimates ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. He also reported a lazy-river pump and motor-drive failure that will require about $20,000 to replace and noted the play structure has a leaking pump. Buck said pool furniture is at the end of its life — loungers run about $300 each and chairs about $150 — and that maintenance and repair expenses are at least $20,000 over budget while utilities are at least $50,000 over budget.
"Maintenance/repairs are at least 20k over budget," Buck said, and he recommended a general feasibility study to evaluate options for the pool complex and future capital needs.
The board did not take a formal vote on specific repairs during the meeting. Buck said staff will develop options for the board to consider and that the Parks Board will discuss the matter at a December meeting. The feasibility study is intended to present alternatives and cost estimates for repair, phased replacement or broader renovation.
The report raises immediate budget questions for the department: the minutes do not identify additional funding sources or a timeline for completing the skimmer-line repairs. The board’s next steps are to review the feasibility study and consider whether to pursue capital funding or phased repairs.
