Changes in Store for City Pools

The news for some Eastsiders who live near the Wes Montgomery swimming pool made their blood boil.

"They're not going to be able to swim," said Roberty Montgomery who's father the park was named after.

"I actually feel like we were last again," said Beverly Combs, an Eastside resident.


Both along with about twenty-five others came to the 38th Street Eastside library to learn a $500,000 water spray park will go in over the footprint of the pool. IndyParks officials say the pool last year only had about 2,500 users so the decision was made to close it. Residents say the pool isn't used because it's in such disrepair.

"Now they're gonna take the little pool my daughter's feet have been cut in," said Regina Marsh.

IndyPark officials showed off artist renderings of the spray park they say is a more affordable project that can be maintained. Don Colvin Deputy IndyParks Director said the pool has had a major leak problem, which would cost too much to repair. Mayor Greg Ballard signed off on spending $8 million that will go towards repairs of all 15 pools across the city. Two million dollars of that money will go to repair Bethel Pool. That money is coming from a special Lilly grant. Lilly has funded repairs at Bethel before and the grant committee decided the money was most wisely used repairing Bethel's pool. But some at the Wes Montgomery meeting argued Bethel is just a few miles from Garfield Park's swimming pool. They question why city leaders didn't find a way to invest in Wes Montgomery's pool instead of building a water spray park over it.

"It's been a challenge to balance which resources to maintain the number of parks we have and the facilities," said Don Colvin, IndyParks Deputy Director.

Crews will begin construction on the spray park in May. Officials hope to have it completed by August. City officials say all pools are in disrepair. Some are leaking; others have linings that are in very bad shape. Maintaining the large pools, officials say, is a huge cost but officials say users will see a big improvement this summer. .