West St. Paul Pool: No Water Slide for Opening
- Paul officials are grappling with the future of the city's community pool, as residents advocate for significant upgrades to the aging facility.The pool,a fixture since 1956,requires ample investment...
- A recent city survey revealed overwhelming support for preserving and enhancing the community pool.
- Stephanie Schempp, a West St.Paul resident who frequents the pool with her sons, emphasized its value as a "third place" for the community.
West St. Paul’s community pool faces crucial decisions as the city considers renovation options, with the primarykeyword being “community pool renovation.” While residents strongly support keeping the secondarykeyword pool open, the aged facility needs upgrades. however,securing funding is a major hurdle. The opening date is set,but no water slide is available this year. News Directory 3 has you covered. The city council is weighing repair costs up to $4 million. Discover what’s next on this important local story.
West St.Paul Weighs Options for Community Pool Renovation
Updated May 27, 2025
West St. Paul officials are grappling with the future of the city’s community pool, as residents advocate for significant upgrades to the aging facility.The pool,a fixture since 1956,requires ample investment to address infrastructure concerns. The pool opens May 31, but the waterslide is closed due to safety issues.
A recent city survey revealed overwhelming support for preserving and enhancing the community pool. Of the 400 respondents, 95% favored either renovating or replacing the existing structure. This feedback underscores the pool’s importance as a recreational hub and gathering place for residents.
Stephanie Schempp, a West St.Paul resident who frequents the pool with her sons, emphasized its value as a “third place” for the community. “It reminds me of my own childhood,” Schempp said, advocating for its preservation. “We don’t want to lose what we have.”
Eric Weiss, West st. Paul parks, recreation, habitat and sustainability director, highlighted the need for a thorough approach to the pool’s future. “We want to balance our investments in the pool, and we want to make sure they are smart moves,” Weiss said, noting the city’s limited resources.
The city council is considering two primary renovation options. the first, estimated at $1.3 million, would focus on targeted repairs and replacements, extending the pool’s lifespan for another 25 years. A more extensive,$4 million renovation could modernize the entire site,potentially altering the layout and design for a 50-year solution.
Mayor Dave Napier acknowledged the budgetary challenges facing the city. “It’s not like we have a bunch of money sitting around to fix the pool,” Napier said. He suggested a tax referendum could be a viable option, allowing the community to directly decide the pool’s fate.
“there are a lot of challenges to our budget… The good news is, we are opening the pool this year. The bad news is, the slide is closed. We really believe in it and want to keep it.”
What’s next
City staff are currently evaluating how these renovation options align with West St. Paul’s overall budget and capital improvement plan. The discussions aim to determine the most sustainable and impactful path forward for the community pool.