BOISE, Idaho — The Boise City Council is set to decide on funding to update cost estimates and potential designs for the future of Lowell Pool and South Pool during its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13.
In a news release Friday, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said cost estimates to improve the historic pools from 2021 and 2022 are “out of date.” In 2021, the City of Boise Public Works Department estimated it would cost $2.4 million per pool to correct identified issues.
Councilmembers will decide on $160,000 to resume planning efforts, which would include a new cost analysis. The funds to determine the future of Lowell and South pools will appear as an Interim Budget Change request. If approved, the updated price analysis would take roughly four months.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pools closed in 2020, and remained closed after safety issues and “serious deficiencies” were found during ADA and condition assessments. McLean on Friday said she is prioritizing opening the pools “as soon as possible.”
In community surveys launched in February 2022, the city received 2,167 individual responses on South Pool, and 1,869 individual responses on Lowell Poll before the surveys closed on March 28, 2022. The public was asked to weigh in potential scenarios for the facilities, and provide any comments or stories related to the pools.
Credit: City of Boise
The City of Boise on Friday said based on the community’s outreach, it is studying ways to bring the pools up to code and to meet accessibility standards. Officials also look to maintain the Art Deco entrances, while painting a new image for the pools on site.
As next steps in the planning process are decided, Boise Parks and Recreation will release updates to the public. More information on planning for Lowell Pool and South Pool, past cost analysis estimates, background on the facilities and more is available by clicking here.
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