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Longmont hopes to open activity pools this summer

Whether Kanemoto and Roosevelt pools open depends on maintenance needs after sitting dry for three and a half years
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The city of Longmont is crossing its fingers that the Kanemoto and Roosevelt activity pools might open this summer for the first time since 2019.

Recreation and Golf Superintendent Ben Wagner said that the plan is to open both activity pools geared toward youth ages 8 and under, but whether they actually open depends on the mechanics at both sites.

“We are very optimistic about Kanemoto but less enthusiastic about Roosevelt,” Wagner said. “Still, fingers crossed on both!“

With the two pools having sat dry for three and a half years, the city is currently checking the pools to make sure they’re operational — everything from pumps to chlorination systems, heaters, filters, piping and seals.

“Pool systems do better on and running, and not as good sitting dry,” Wagner said. “We are certainly optimistic and will commit any resources we can to getting them running, but one thing we cannot control is the parts supply chain.”

He noted that post-COVID, getting specific parts has been taking much longer.

The activity pools closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remaining closed in 2021 when the recreation operating budget was reduced. In 2022, the city had the funds to open Kanemoto but did not have the staffing.

The staffing shortage impacted pool hours across Longmont and other cities throughout the Front Range last year. Wagner said while that’s still an issue for the recreation department, it would not be the determining factor for opening the activity pools.

“Staffing is still a concern but not as large of an issue as last year,” he said. “It is possible that staffing may affect hours or days, but it should not affect if we open or not.”

He added that the recreation department is actively hiring.