Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Needs Millions of Dollars To Fix Pool Leak
Before the squeals and splashes of summer take over at Crystal Cove Aquatic Center in Crystal, leaf blowers and turning wrenches can be heard before it opens for another season.
“It serves the communities of Crystal, Robbinsdale, New Hope, Golden Valley, and into Minneapolis. So it really has a regional draw and it allows those kids in these communities to learn how to swim,” said John Elholm, Crystal’s parks and recreation director. “We have a very excellent swim program here, and really that’s who this pool serves.”
The pool was first built in 1968, and like most things of that age, it is in need of repairs.
“We monitor how much water we put into the pool, and we’ve noted the last few years the amount of water we’re using is increasing,” said Elholm. “There’s clearly a leak somewhere.”
The state approved more than $2 million to help the city of Crystal repair the swimming pool at Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
The container, unlike much of the facility, was not part of the renovations in 2005. An inspection detected the leak.
The city surveyed residents to gauge how to move forward with repairs.
“It really was obvious that the community really values having a pool here,” said Elholm.
The city of Crystal has budgeted $3 million toward repairs and recently received $2.3 million in state funds as part of the bonding bill for infrastructure repairs that the DFL-led legislature passed this session.
“We’re very thankful for the state funds to help us keep this regional facility operating into the future,” said Elholm.
Elholm said he expects the repair project will begin in 2024, but said it’s not clear yet whether it will require the aquatic center to be closed for the summer season or if repairs would begin after next summer.
The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center opens for the 2023 season on Saturday, June 10.
