Lawton making plans for summer without a municipal pool

Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission want city officials to explore options for youth who will be without a municipal swimming pool this summer.

Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks told the advisory board that there has been no change in the City of Lawton’s plan to suspend operations of the municipal pool this summer. Council members looked at the issue in January and directed city staff to explore options for a location for a new municipal pool, while also ensuring the maintenance work is done that will allow the city’s three wading pools and two splash pads to open Memorial Day Weekend.

That work is under way, Parks said, adding city staff is evaluating sites for a new municipal pool, either rebuilding it on the existing site at the edge of Mattie Beal Park, building it somewhere else in that park, or selecting a new site (Vera Cook Park and the Owens Multi-Purpose Center were cited in January). Parks said Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren also asked the staff to evaluate sites in north Lawton that could house a second municipal pool.

City staff has a specific goal in mind for the new municipal pool.

“Smaller and more maintainable,” Parks said, addressing council discussions about what would be a smaller pool, but also one with modern equipment.

Many council members indicated in January that investing more money in the existing municipal pool wasn’t practical, because there is no guarantee that the pool would be operable even if the deteriorating pipes and return system were repaired.

Parks said while one councilman wants to explore the idea of finding funding keyed toward the historic significance of the municipal pool, city staff and others who have looked at the pool aren’t certain they have a full idea of exactly what needs to be done.

“We do not know the extent of the damage to the pool,” Parks said, explaining one end of the pool is 6 inches higher than the other end. While officials know there is a void under the pool, they don’t know exactly where it is or its dimensions.

Parks and Harris said that is why a new pool makes more sense. Parks said repairs already identified are time-intensive and money-intensive, when it makes more sense to allocate funds for another option. Some council members also are concerned that even if the pipe and return system upgrades were made, the pool still might remain inoperable because other problems would be found during the repair work.

Council members said other plans are being made for city youth, both for this summer and beyond.

Ward 2 Councilman Kelly Harris said while the city is making plans for a new aquatics center in Elmer Thomas Park that city officials want to open by summer 2025, council members also are committed to keeping aquatics facilities in south Lawton.

“There needs to be something for this part of town,” he said.

“Absolutely,” said Parks and Recreation Commission member Linda Neal, of an argument that commission members have made for months about a facility well used by youth, particularly those who live within walking distance of the pool.

Commission member Jacobi Crowley said city officials should explore partnerships, working with local entities with pools they might be willing to let city youth use on a limited basis. He said the Lawton Family YMCA, Cameron University and Goodyear have pools, and asked whether discussions are possible with those who govern those facilities.

City officials said preliminary discussions had been opened with Cameron and the Y, although nothing was decided. Crowley said it was important to have those discussions now, “before summer,” adding city officials also might approach several neighborhood associations that have pools.

As for the city, Parks said the Parks and Recreation Department will have the wading pools in 35th Division, Mocine and Harmon parks ready this summer, with cleaning, sandblasting and painting to begin soon. Parks said it will give city youth options this summer while the city makes plans for complete renovations later this year.

“At the end of the season, we will renovate them,” he said, of plans that include new pumps and ADA-compliant amenities, so the pools are ready for summer 2025.