The City of Lawrence on Thursday announced an updated two-phase timeline for renovations that should allow the Outdoor Aquatic Center to stay open for swim seasons.
Later this year, work will begin on renovations to the restroom facilities at the pool, 727 Kentucky St. That should be completed before the 2026 swim season begins, according to the city’s announcement.
After the 2026 swim season, work will begin on rehabilitation of the existing pool, replacement of the pool deck, and access improvements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, phase 2 will include construction of a separate zero-depth/shallow entry pool, according to the announcement.
That work should be completed by summer 2027.
The timeline adjustment is “to accommodate the Jayhawk Watershed Project, which includes work directly adjacent to the site of the planned shallow pool addition,” according to the city.
The city was planning a huge remodel of the pool that would’ve added a lazy river, a splash pad and other new features but also would’ve cut swim space approximately in half. After community pushback, Lawrence city commissioners opted to go with a plan to renovate the existing pool.
Read more background in the articles at this link.
“As always, community safety is a top priority,” the announcement stated. “If emergency repairs are required during the 2026 season, adjustments may still be needed. We’ll be sure to update on our progress as we ensure the safety of the pool.”
In addition, “Construction is contingent upon receiving budget-friendly bids. If bids exceed available funds, the schedule may shift accordingly,” according to the announcement.
This year, the pool is open daily through Friday, Aug. 15; on Saturdays and Sundays only through the end of the month; and again on Monday, Sept. 1. See hours and details at this link.
If local news matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.
If you have news tips, questions, comments, concerns, compliments or corrections for our team, please reach out and let us know what’s on your mind. Email us at Hello@LawrenceKSTimes.com (don’t forget the KS!), or find more contact info and a quick contact form at LawrenceKSTimes.com/contact.
Follow us so you won’t miss the local news that matters most to you:
Latest Lawrence news:
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
