Heaps of gravel, chunks of broken concrete and a pile of red clay mud by the only public swimming pool in Nixa are welcome signs of progress.
The debris is the result of crews repairing the 22-year-old pool that was closed for the entire 2023 swimming season.
The popular summertime activity was shut down because the 320,000-gallon pool was leaking 75,000 gallons of water daily — and attempted repairs failed, said Matt Crouse, director of Nixa Parks and Recreation.
The extensive repairs underway should take care of the problem, allowing the city to reopen the pool in June.
The $1.3 million project includes replacing all the underground piping on the recirculation system and rehabilitating filters and piping in the pumphouse.
Crews are also adding more concrete deck space and shaped structures and an in-pool water play structure for kids.
Nixa resident Charlotte Butler is eager to see the pool near her home open again. She babysits her granddaughters, Eliot, 7, and Charlie, 10, and last summer frequently took them to Republic for swimming.
While the girls like the aquatics center in Republic, it’s a 20-minute drive for Butler. Having the pool in Nixa open is more convenient.
“We can’t wait,” Butler said. “We’re ready. That will give them something to do. It’s hard to keep them busy.”
Along with having a pool close to home, Butler and other Nixa residents who enjoy water play have another exciting opportunity on the horizon. Construction begins later this summer on a splash pad, a $500,000 project scheduled to open next year.
“We are super excited to have our pool back up and open this summer and are expecting to open sometime the first week in June,” Crouse said. “We know our community will be excited to have the pool back and I can assure you the parks department is excited as well.”
Along with managing the pool, Nixa Parks & Recreation offers a variety of facilities, events, sports and activities. Learn more on the Nixa Parks & Recreation website.
