FAQ ‘s: Original Indoor Pool

Why did the Original Kearns Pool Close? 

The District has been facing the possible closure of the Original Indoor Pool for many years.  Structural issues related to the building and pool built in 1966 have also led to safety and maintenance issues.  Concerns related to steel and concrete in the facility were a major factor.  The decision to close this pool was not made lightly. The Board of Trustees and staff have sought opinions from structural engineering firms, contractors, risk and insurance providers, and had testing done, including Ultrasonic and Ground Penetrating Radar on the steel and concrete. These professionals described what was happening to the structure as experiencing a structural cancer that has been eating away and damaging the steel and concrete in the building for many, many years.  The Board respected the sentimental value and the great experiences that have been provided to our community through the years, but as a matter of safety, the decision was made to close this portion of the facility.

Why not just remodel or rebuild the pool? 

In addition to the structural issues, there were very expensive components that would have needed to be repaired in the pool/building, which included the roof, HVAC, boiler, and electrical systems.  These are all very costly items and wouldn’t address the more obvious visible repairs needed, such as remodeling, painting, and resurfacing.

The District did a Master Plan in 2019-2020, and the cost to rebuild the pool at that time was around $13 million dollars.  More A more recently, we got an estimate we received was forof $26 million dollars to replace the pool, which doesn’t didn’t include the daily operation and maintenance costs after construction.  That amount would have required the District to bond to fund the projects. In the recent past, there have been two different bond elections requesting funds to rebuild the pool. The voters within the district voted against the bonds both times.  The Board was not willing, nor did they feel it feasible, to attempt a $26 million bond at that time because of the burden that would add to District residents.

There have been many discussions on how to continue to serve the community in a more fiscally responsible way.  The plan to cover one of our existing outdoor pools during the Fall, Winter and Spring would allow year-round use of an existing asset and the District will continue to offer the programming that has historically been offered in the Original Indoor Pool.  While we recognize that the pool is different and will be an adjustment, the District feels that it is the best solution. 

The estimate for the Bubble was $496,461 from Arizona Building Systems in 2023 and $892,350 from England Construction for the construction work for the project in 2024.  It is anticipated lifespan of the Fabric Membrane/Envelope is 20-30 years and the Air Handling and Mechanical Systems are designed for a 30+ year lifespan.  We are anticipating that the costs to operate the bubble will be similar to the original pool, and that will be further flushed out as the bubble is used.  Chemical expenses are anticipated to decrease by 75% compared to the original pool due to the Bubble pool having a Chor King Chlorine generator installed.  In addition, the District is undergoing an extensive Energy Efficiency project which will include new boilers and heat exchangers that will serve the Bubble pool, providing heated water for improved efficiency.  What is unique about the project is that the energy savings will pay for the new equipment costs through a unique financing mechanism called a tax-exempt lease.  The District is working with McKinstry on this project.

Where will programs that were held in the Original Indoor Pool be held? 

Water fitness classes and Swim Lessons will now have several places they could happen.  It is anticipated that when the Bubble is up, once the bubble is over the Outdoor Recreation Pool, the plan is for most of these programs to happen in this pool, although some may also occur in the Indoor Recreation Pool.  Open Plunge can be in either pool. Until the Bubble is constructed (construction anticipated to begin Fall of 2025), the Indoor Recreation Pool will be used for these activities, and schedules will be temporarily adjusted.  We appreciate everyone’s patience and willingness to share while these changes are made.

What is the Bubble and what pool will it be covering? 

A bubble is an Air Supported Structure that covers an area to provide a temporary structure that allows use of the space without being affected by outdoor elements.  In our case, the bubble will cover the Outdoor Recreation Pool (see map) during the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons and will be taken down during the Summer months.  This allows year-round use of a pool that was previously only being used 3 months out of the year.  This pool is the perfect depth to run programs like water fitness, swim lessons, and open plunge.  Staff put the Bubble up with the assistance of Arizon (the company that fabricated the structure).  In the future, it is anticipated that staff and volunteers will put the bubble up and down without the cost or assistance from Arizon.

An expansion of the Outdoor Recreation Pool/Bubble Pool was part of a Salt Lake County Recreation Bond that was approved by voters in November of 2026.  Expanding the pool within the footprint of the Bubble will allow the Bubble Pool to increase capacity from the original 1963 pool by approximately 38%.  This project will most likely take place in 2028-2029.  Plans are still underway. 

What is the project?

• Expand the Outdoor Rec/Bubble pool.

• Add warm-water lap lanes.

• Increase swim lesson capacity.

• Expand opportunities for water fitness.

• Reduce overcrowding.

• Increase lap lane availability.

• Strengthen adaptive aquatic programming.

• Improve the District’s ability to train lifeguards.

• Improve lifeguard visibility.

• Enhance year-round aquatic access for residents throughout west Salt Lake County and beyond.

How much further will the bubble be than the original indoor pool? 

The bubble is 33 yards further, and we plan to connect the pools with a tunnela tunnel that connects the pools to keep patrons protected from the elements while going from one pool to the other.

Why build pickleball and tennis courts when there are existing courts? 

The existing tennis/pickleball courts were built in 1968 and have similar issues to the original pool. The main safety concern is that they are made from asphalt, which cracks easily. There have been multiple solutions that have been attempted to fix the courts over the years, and each has failed.  Because of the unsafe nature of the asphalt courts, the decision has had to be made to close the old courts.  The new courts will beare post-tension concrete, which is the current preferred standard to ensure long-term stability. The lifespan for post-tension courts is 25-40+ years.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States.  It is also a popular sport here at the facility.  Pickleball participation has grown 311% over the last three years.  While the popularity of tennis has declined, the District installed a multi-use tennis court to allow us to continue to serve the tennis community.  The District built 8 pickleball courts (with the ability to have an additional 4 courts on the Tennis Court).  The closest Pickleball courts at the time of construction to the facility were 2 courts at Lodestone Park.  Because the existing courts have often been vandalized and misused, the District has opted to build the new courts closer to the other buildings. This will allow us to ensure the courts stay in good condition through monitored access to the courts for our members and paying guests, ensuring they stay in good condition for use..  Where pickleball courts are built is also a consideration due to noise.  This is also an ideal location for noise reduction to our neighbors since the courts will be further from any homes in the area.

The District has not decided on a plan for the old tennis court area.

Who made these decisions? 

The Board of Trustees for the Oquirrh Recreation and Parks District ultimately made these decisions with input from professional firms, insurance providers, official studies, staff input, public input, and more.

The public has been invited to participate throughout the years, including statistically valid surveys, informal surveys, and open houses during the strategic planning process and master plan process that took place in 2019-2020.  The Board holds monthly meetings that are open to the public and invites any public comments.  The annual budget proposal meetings, including discussions surrounding capital projects, include public hearings, which are another opportunity for the Board to hear comments from the public.

The Board has not taken these decisions lightly, as they have hired professionals including structural engineers, sought specialized testing on the concrete and steel, and consulted with risk and insurance providers, and more.

When will locker rooms be redone? 

A large-scale locker room remodel is another project that was a part of the 2020 Master Plan.  We are hopeful that funding will be in place in the not-too-distant future.  New lockers with free locks were installed in 2025, which have been helpful for patrons to securely store their personal items.

The District has begun updating the locker rooms, including new lockers with free locks, new benches, floor resurfacing, new mirrors, and more.  Bathroom partitions have begun to be installed, with more updates to come.

Farewell to the Original Kearns Pool

After nearly 60 years, the Original pool has reached its lifespan, and it was no longer feasible or safe to keep open.

Since 1966, the Original Kearns Pool has been more than just a facility. It has been a place where friendships were made, milestones were achieved, and memories were created. The District held a special farewell week of celebrations and memories in September of 2025.  As we prepare to say goodbye to this beloved space, we invite you to join us in celebrating its legacy with two special farewell events.

A Grateful Goodbye

For nearly six decades, the indoor competition pool has brought joy, community, and lasting memories. We extend heartfelt thanks to the many people who have supported the facilities, participated in events, and made this pool a cherished part of our history.

New Exciting Updates

We are excited for the new Bubble that will allow us the opportunity for continued year-round programming and for the updates that are happening in the Indoor Recreation Pool.  We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we take the time to update the facilities.

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