Lowell and South Pools
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - Updated July 2024
1. What is the latest on the future of Lowell and South pools?
On July 16, Boise Parks and Recreation presented an update on design alternatives and cost estimates for construction and reopening of the pools. Boise City Council affirmed recommendations from the project team to move forward with the following plans:
- Renovate Lowell Pool in its existing location
- Build a brand-new pool at Whitney Elementary School (located less than one mile away from South Pool), and evaluate options to repurpose the historic South Pool facility
Please note, design renderings are not final.
To watch the July 16, 2024, Boise City Council work session where design alternatives and cost estimates for both Lowell and South Pools were discussed, click here. The presentation starts about an hour and 22 minutes into the recording.
2. What does the renovation of Lowell Pool entail? Why aren’t you building a new pool on the property?
The park property that Lowell Pool sits on has specific site constraints, therefore it can only be configured the way it’s currently designed. There is not an opportunity to build a new pool in a different configuration on the parcel the pool currently sits on, so direction from engineers and the construction team is to renovate the facility as it is currently situated. These renovations would include an improved lobby area, modernized locker rooms, and would solve safety and accessibility issues for users of all abilities.
In addition, Lowell Pool is located in a historic district overlay which is a consideration of the project team.
There is currently no timeline for this renovation project.
3. How much will it cost to renovate Lowell Pool?
The pool project team estimates the cost to renovate Lowell Pool and bring it up to modern safety and accessibility standards while preserving the integrity of the historic structure at approximately $9.2 million (+/- 15 percent). The cost to renovate is higher than the cost to build a new pool due to a variety of factors, including the needs for hand digging at the site during construction to protect the 70+ year old structure, as well as the need to add an elevator at the back of the pool facility for ADA access to the second-story pool deck.
4. Why are you looking at a new location instead of renovating the current South Pool facility?
Based on architectural and engineering estimates prepared by the project team, the option to renovate South Pool in its current state and location is anticipated to cost $9.2 million (+/- 15 percent) for minimal amenities and improvements. Building a new pool in the same location is estimated to cost approximately $7.4 million (+/- 10 percent) and would include modest amenity improvements. Due to constraints of the footprint that South Pool currently sits on next to South Junior High, renovating the existing pool or building a new one in its place would not be ideal. A new pool in a different location would serve a larger portion of the community while providing a more modern and accessible amenity for people of all ages and abilities, while offering more opportunities for recreation programming, including swimming lessons and competitions.
5. Why would you build a new pool at Whitney Elementary School? What would the new pool look like?
The opportunity to build a new pool at a different site came to fruition through the city’s partnership with the Boise School District. Boise Parks and Recreation currently operates an after-school community center at Whitney Elementary School and works closely with the district on providing affordable and accessible programming across the city. The district is open to land use at the site for a pool facility, and building a new pool at Whitney Elementary School would increase 10-minute walk accessibility to the pool by more than 1,000 households. Whitney Elementary School is located on the Boise Bench, less than one mile from South Pool.
The new location would allow for a larger, regional pool facility with added amenities. Design elements could include an 8-lane pool, a separate kiddie pool, locker rooms, shade structures and seating areas. The new pool would be nearly double the size of South Pool, increasing the capacity and availability for community members.
Community input opportunities related to planned amenities at the Whitney Elementary School pool location will be announced as they are available.
6. Is there an opportunity to provide input on the relocation of a new pool at Whitney Elementary School?
At this time, city leadership has directed the project team to move forward with plans to renovate Lowell Pool and build a new pool at Whitney Elementary School. While these plans will move forward, the city is committed to community engagement throughout the process, including creative ideas on how to reuse and preserve the historic South Pool facility.
7. What will happen to South Pool?
South Pool will remain closed. As the city moves through the next phases of this project, we plan to gather community input to guide how we can potentially repurpose the facility and its historic elements. There are no plans to alter or remove the facility at this time.
8. How are these renovations and construction projects being funded?
General city funding will be requested through the annual budget process (happening now for fiscal year 2025). Current cost estimates for the projects reflect anticipated market conditions for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. However, timelines for construction have not been established.
9. What is the timeline for pools to be renovated/built?
There is currently no timeline for construction. We recommend checking for project updates on the city’s Lowell and South Pools planning webpage.