Residents in Lenexa, Kan., are pushing back against the city's plan to close a local community pool.
The city is currently planning to close Ad Astra pool because it was built on fill dirt and will require costly foundation repairs. Pipe and drain work have already been done, but the pool remains the city’s most costly pool to maintain.
Maria Riley says her family moved to the area specifically for the pool.
"We saw the pool was right down the street. I knew the kids would be able walk down there," Riley told the local Fox affiliate.
Residents have started an online petition, which has already garnered 1,400 signatures. They also have concerns about other proposals the city might consider, including turning the next closest pool, Indian Trails, into a spray pad and building a water park elsewhere.
"I just want the teenagers, the tweens, middle-age kids to have a safe place they can meet up with their friends. I just don`t see a splash park fulfilling that need. It only caters to a small percent of the population," Riley said.
Riley advocates for closing the pool for a season, which she believes would allow the city to recoup the costs of upgrading the facility.
The pool currently maintains more water per resident than any other city in the area. Lenexa officials say there’s a better way.
"We want to continue to offer some kind of recreation amenity to them and what our hope is, is to come back with something that's even better to better serve this neighborhood, the community and really the entire city," said Logan Wagler, deputy director of parks and recreation.
The city says the discussion is still wide open, and welcomes residents to be part of that process.
