There will be no public swimming in Yuma during the summer of 2023.
It is hoped that the refurbished and improved Yuma Municipal Pool will be ready in time for the summer of 2024, but there is no guarantee at this time.
“It’s all about money,” said Mayor Scott Moore.
Of that, $2.5 million will go to a new playground in City Park and a “splash pad” east of the pool.
The pool staff worked very hard to keep the facility open last summer. Various leaks caused pools to lose more water than they could be treated with chemicals, often resulting in temporary closures.
Poole limped at the end of swimming season. However, it was clear that it needed a major overhaul.
City staff had a number of pool contractors visit the site to determine the full extent of the renovation.
All the plumbing that runs around the pool that was built in the 1960s needs to be replaced. This means that all decks must be removed. Everything in the chemistry room needs to be replaced.
As such, the city is looking at new plumbing, new decks, new filter systems, new chemical feeders, new boilers, and new ADA pool lifts. A new slide has been installed and the ‘baby pool’ will also get some work done.
Moore said structural engineers determined the pool building was sound, so they would leave it alone.
The project also includes plans for a ‘splash pool’ to the east of the pool. The splash pool is free for everyone.it will be activated by someone 
step into it. Otherwise, it will hibernate when not in use.
This project is more than a pool and an adjacent splash pool.
The playground equipment in the city park that was installed 30 years ago is also worn out.
The plan is to set up a new all-inclusive playground, with the exception of the swings, which are in good condition.
The total cost, including a 20% contingency for increased costs, is $2,566,000.
Moore said the city has all the contractors it needs.
“There are a lot of people here,” he said.
Candy Gilliland has been in charge of the pool for the past few years. She recently quit her city job for her new role in SARA House. However, the council approved her contractual labor contract with Gilliland in order for Gilliland to continue working on grant opportunities.
She said the inclusion of playgrounds opens up more grant opportunities.
The City Council has approved $300,000 in ARPA funding for the project, and the city has already secured a $200,000 grant from OEDIT (Office for Economic Development and International Trade).
Gilliland said he has submitted grants to the Colorado Health Foundation and GOCO (Great Outdoors Colorado). GOCO grants will be submitted during the August cycle as recommended to the city by GOCO regional representatives, who said Gilliland provided valuable information.
We’ll probably find out in December if the city can get a GOCO grant. This is a really big one.
As mentioned, contractors are already lining up, so if all goes together, it’s expected to start in early 2024 and be operational by spring. It will “probably” be ready for summer.
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The City of Yuma, the City of Lay, NECALG’s County Express, and the Yuma County Welfare Office are working together to provide transportation from Yuma to Lay for swimming lessons and open swimming this summer.
Plans haven’t been finalized yet, but if it all comes together, stay tuned for more details on Pioneer later this month.
