Indy Parks may turn to splash pads in place of outdoor pools
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Support for Indianapolis' public pools is drying up, as aging infrastructure and short school summers strain Indy Parks' aquatics system.
Why it matters: Public pools provide access to an amenity many families in the city wouldn't have otherwise.
- Most other local pools require a membership or charge a higher admission fee.
The big picture: Indy Parks operates more than a dozen outdoor pools, many dating back to the 1980s.
- Midwest weather takes a major toll on aging outdoor infrastructure, says Indy Parks director Brittany Crone.
- Plus: With many schools heading back to class in late July or early August, staffing pools with seasonal help (like school-age lifeguards) has been a struggle, Crone adds.
- Sahm Park pool didn't open this summer because of a staffing shortage.
Driving the news: Crone told a City-County Council committee that her department is looking at reducing its outdoor pool footprint going forward.
- The parks department is working on an assessment of pool conditions and will have a better idea of how to proceed when it's complete, Crone said.
- "The move for many cities dealing with the same issues we face is … moving to more indoor pools."
Reality check: Building new indoor pool facilities would be beyond the department's budget, Crone said, requiring it to look for additional funding sources.
- Splash pads may replace pools in some instances because they cost less to run, require less staff, and can stay open longer into the summer season.
Follow the money: The parks department is allocating $2.5 million of its $53 million budget to its aquatics system next year.
What's next: City officials and the City-County Council are currently working through the 2027 budget, which is expected to be approved next month.