Firm presents pool reconstruction ideas before Blackfoot City Council

Its no secret that the Blackfoot City pool is getting old. The facility was built decades ago and after years of steady year-round use, it’s time for a major remodel. An engineering firm charged with finding remodel ideas and cost estimates presented their findings before the council during their weekly meetings.

Pool remodeling sizes and options varied and none of them are finalized in any way.

They include:

Demolishing the facility and installing a small outdoor splash pad for $300,000.
Demolishing the facility and installing a medium scale outdoor splash park for $650,000
Demolishing the facility and installing a full scale outdoor water park like in Rexburg for $6.7 million.
Demolishing the facility and installing an eight lane 25-yard competition indoor pool for $6.7 million.
Demolishing the facility and installing a full indoor aquatics center with a large fun pool separate from a full eight lane competition pool as well as party room space for an estimated cost of $17.3 million.
Majorly renovating the facility and installing extra water features such as a water slide or other water fountain features for around $5 million.

Each option has its benefits and drawbacks. Splash parks require significantly less maintenance and upkeep costs, but don’t allow for recreational swimming or year round use. Remodeling the pool costs less, but is only estimated to extend the life of the facility for another 20-30 years. Demolishing and rebuilding the facility costs more upfront, but gives the city a 40-50 year lifespan or longer if its maintained properly.

None of these options are set in stone. The engineering firm said the city could easily cherry pick ideas from any of the presented options to create a proposal that works best for Blackfoot.

City council leaders said they’ll mull over the proposals and get feedback from the community before they make any final decision.