The city-owned swimming pool at Lucy Park may not open this summer, the head of Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation told the City Council on Tuesday.
Director Kalee Robinson said the 60-year-old pool can no longer practically meet modern state health and safety requirements.
"The filters were leaking and pretty much have reached the end of their serviceable life," Robinson said.
Repair estimate: $150,000 to $250,000
Robinson said the pool also has significant surface and structural issues that would require a full resurfacing this season, along with deck and slide repairs and the replacement of a fence she said is no longer code compliant.
The pool was closed for several days during the 2025 season when filters were not functioning at a level safe for swimming, Robinson said.
Attendance has dropped sharply, she added. The pool averaged 33 swimmers per day and drew about 2,200 patrons across the entire summer.
"We didn't even make $20,000," Robinson said.
She told council members the cost to bring the facility up to minimum standards for use this summer would run between $150,000 and $250,000.
Proposed alternatives
Robinson recommended ceasing pool operations for the summer and offered alternatives she said would cost the same or less:
- Offering swim lessons at the city-owned Castaway Cove water park.
- Using grant funding of about $10,000 each to support swimming at the Camp Fire of North Texas pool and at the All Hands Cultural Community Center pool at 302 Tulsa St.
Robinson's presentation was a staff report and did not require action from the City Council.