BARTOW, Fla. – The Bartow City Commission has decided to construct a new aquatics center at the existing Civic Center location on S. Floral Ave. This decision, made on Monday, follows months of community input and deliberation.
The Civic Center site was chosen over the vacant Oaks building downtown. While the downtown location had potential for economic development, residents overwhelmingly favored the Civic Center in surveys and community meetings, many recalling fond memories of the old pool.
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The new aquatics center will feature a main pool with exercise lanes, a children’s pool, a splash pad, an event pavilion, and other amenities. The project is estimated to cost $3.93 million, funded from the city’s reserve funds. Annual operating costs are expected to be around $500,000.
Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, while voting against the Civic Center location in favor of the Oaks building, expressed excitement about bringing a pool back to the city. Other commissioners, like Leo Longworth, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of aligning with residents’ wishes.
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City Manager Mike Herr highlighted the positive impact the new center will have on the community, providing a safe space for families to learn to swim and enjoy time together.
Construction is set to begin next summer, with an anticipated opening in the summer of 2026.
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