City eyes removal of Aquatic Park lap pool, slides this year pending Council approval

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph is preparing to move forward on demolition of two well-known structures of the Aquatic Park that have long been out of service.

Pending approval by City Councilmembers, demolition of the Aquatic Park lap pool and two large water slides is expected to take place with the latest pool season now over.

The existing shallow activity pool and lazy river will remain in place and be available for residents in future pool seasons.

Monday's City Council agenda includes a bill for first reading that would authorize demolition of the Aquatic Park lap pool, a $239,084 contract with TNR construction of Easton, Missouri.

Councilmembers previously approved a contract last August for design services for demolition of the Aquatic Park lap pool, a project that hinged on the city agreeing to a partnership with the YMCA for a $15 million indoor aquatic center up north, a 35,000 square foot facility.

That partnership -- formally approved in May -- will see the city contribute $7 million toward construction. Prior to the decision, the city had left open the possibility of using the funds to go toward the Aquatic Center if the agreement didn't pan out.

City Councilmembers opted to postpone planned improvements to the lap pool portion of the Aquatic Park in early 2023 after officials balked at a price tag that was beginning to reach $8 million, well past the initial estimate for repairing the pool.  

Parks officials are also planning to renovate the nearby bathhouse so it can be used in future years as a storage facility. Both the lap pool and slides have been out of service for a number of years.