Jasper outdoor pool plans approved
The Jasper Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved the design of the new outdoor swimming pool at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
While a group advocating for a 50-meter pool has voiced their dissatisfaction with the plans, no discussion was held on the issue during the meeting. Currently, 785 people have signed on to a petition in support of a new 50-meter Olympic-size pool.
Parks Department Director Tom Moorman has stated the project is designed to create “inclusive waters” to serve a broad spectrum of residents. The new pool’s feature-rich design allows for many options for fun and recreation that don’t exist at the current 67-year-old pool.
Essentially, every “nook and cranny” has an activity of some sort available. The zero-depth entry allows for easy access by individuals regardless of their physical abilities, and an expanded deck creates more covered space for families to gather and hang out. Swings, slides, climbing walls, spray features and a current channel are just a few of the amenities that will be available when it is finished.
We covered the features being planned for the new design in the following article.
The estimate cost for the new pool is $8 to $8.5 million, according to city officials. The city plans on using Tax Increment Finance funds to pay for the bond on the project.
With Tuesday’s approval, Hafer Design will now complete the construction plans with a goal of putting the project out for bid by November. Bids will be received and reviewed in December, with plans to award the contract in January. Once started, construction is expected to progress through 2024 and be completed in time for the pool to reopen over Memorial Weekend in 2025.
The Jasper Common Council has already approved bonding for the project, and the new pool was included in the Impact Jasper Plan. It, as well as the creation of an indoor recreation facility, is the number one project in the Parks and Recreation portion of the comprehensive plan approved by the council in 2019.
