Press Release – Kimberly Park Pool

March 4, 2026

The City of West Liberty understands how important the Kimberly Park Pool is to our community. After careful review and discussion, City Council has approved a temporary closure of the pool for the 2026 season to allow time to fully evaluate long‑term solutions. We recognize the difficulty of this decision and appreciate the dedication of Parks & Recreation staff as well as the Parks & Recreation Board in their recommendations.

Why this decision is being recommended:

  • Property Tax Limitations
    • Recent state legislation limiting property tax growth has significantly reduced City funding for the coming fiscal year. This has a direct impact on our ability to cover rising costs for pool repairs, utilities, insurance, and daily operations without increasing property taxes.
  • Staffing Challenges
    • Over the past five years, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain lifeguards and seasonal staff. Fewer youth are available to work summer positions, and state safety requirements necessitate specific lifeguard staffing levels based on pool size and attendance. These challenges have led to reduced and inconsistent operating hours.
  • Infrastructure & Leaks
    • The pool continues to experience large water leaks, losing approximately 15,000 gallons of water every two days. Despite major repair attempts in recent years, leaks persist and are now impacting pool infrastructure and nearby private homes, creating additional liability concerns.

City staff, the Parks and Recreation Board, and City leadership all recognize that a public pool is an important quality‑of‑life amenity for West Liberty. To date, the City has already performed two major studies regarding the pool: a 2024 Pool Feasibility Study to look at possible upgrades and a 2025 Geophysical Exploration Report to look at current damages and safety concerns. Taking this time off gives our engineers time to safely and accurately evaluate the pool’s infrastructure, design, and equipment in its most utilized season. This allows the City to explore realistic options for future operation – including design alternatives, updated equipment, staffing models, and funding strategies. The City of West Liberty deeply values the community’s support during this temporary pause of the Kimberly Park Pool. While the facility is being evaluated, residents can play an important role in shaping the future of the pool and supporting our parks system.

Here are meaningful ways to help:

  1. Stay Informed and Engaged
    1. Follow City updates on the website and official social media channels to stay aware of engineering findings, timelines, and opportunities for community input.
    2. Attend future public meetings and forums to ensure your voice is part of the long‑term solution.
  2. Share Your Feedback
    1. Submit ideas, concerns, and constructive input on the types of programming, amenities, or design features you would like considered in future pool planning to City Council or the Parks & Recreation Board.
  3. Support Alternative Summer Activities
    1. Participate in pop‑up programs, outdoor events, and recreational sports opportunities this summer.
    2. Support the West Liberty Public Library summer reading program.
    3. Encourage youth engagement in local activities to help keep our community active and connected.
  4. Advocate for Sustainable Funding
    1. Learn about the financial challenges caused by recent state legislation and the limits placed on property tax growth.
    2. Engage with elected officials to express support for policies that allow small communities like West Liberty to maintain these essential amenities.

Our goal is not to walk away from the pool, but to take a responsible step forward so the community can have the best long‑term outcome possible. Updates will continue as this work moves forward. Thank you for your understanding and continued engagement as we plan for the future of Kimberly Park Pool.

For more information regarding Council’s recent decision, please review the following information:

To view the City Council Meeting, please visit our Youtube Channel: City Council Meeting (March 3rd, 2026)