New Swim Season is Last for Aging Aquatic Center
Date Posted: May 30, 2024
Posted In: News,
From Webster-Kirkwood Times: This Memorial Day weekend marks the official season opener for the Webster Groves Aquatic Center — and the last before the city replaces it with a new, roughly $11 million facility set to open this time next year.
The city embarked on a master planning process for a new water park about a year ago and got the green light from residents to fund the project using bond money approved with the passage of Prop W last April.
To accommodate construction, and with a goal of a new water park grand opening on Memorial Day weekend 2025, the pool season will be 17 days shorter this year, closing on Aug. 4.
Cutting pool time is not ideal, said Webster Groves Parks and Recreation Director Scott Davis, but it allows the city to open the new facility by the target date.
The pool also sees higher demand and usage at the beginning of the season, making it more practical to shorten the season on the back end, Davis said.
Season pass rates for the aquatic center have been reduced for 2024 to accommodate the shorter season.
Davis admits the timeline will be challenging.
City officials have contracted with Westport Pools for the new water park to replace the nearly 30-year-old facility. Two community town halls were held this month to share details of the new facility’s design.