STARKVILLE — Moncrief Pool is celebrating its grand reopening for the summer. But the future of the pool is uncertain unless turnout numbers are higher than they were last year.
Brandon Doherty, director for the Parks and Recreation Department, said the pool and its facilities are reopening May 27 after undergoing repairs and renovations since last summer.
Work included fixing a hole in the northeast bathroom wall of the pool house that a car crash created in June 2022, as well as installing new bathroom roofs and other repairs to help address the pool’s leakage problems.
“We put a roof on both (bathrooms) … and we are doing fiberglass repair inside of the pool to stop the water from leaking out,” Doherty told The Dispatch. “Those are some of the primary pieces. We’re also doing some small bathroom repairs and then maybe some potential lighting.”
In January, associate city engineer Chris Williams said Moncrief Park has been leaking 30,000 gallons of water per day it is full, which cost the city an extra $10,000 on its water bill last summer.
Doherty said over the past two years, the city has put in about $100,000 to get the pool area into better shape. But he said the current “concentrated” fiberglass repairs to the pool itself cost less than $5,000.
Doherty said these patches of fiberglass are enough to keep the pool up and running for the summer. More extensive repair work to fix the leakage would require a larger budget, and the parks department’s budget decisions are often based on usage.
Doherty said the pool only served 34 swimmers per day last summer, despite its 80-person capacity.
“Last year we did not have a strong turnout,” Doherty said. “If we can get a really strong turnout this year at the pool, that will help our efforts on taking the next two steps forward to create a better pool. … Utilization as a whole drives where you put your priorities.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill agreed with Doherty that usage will help the city to determine repairs and renovations going forward. She asked for engagement and feedback from pool lovers throughout the summer to help meet the city’s recreation needs.
“I would certainly encourage those who want to swim to get out and swim, and to give us feedback that the pool is an important element in their recreation desires,” Spruill told The Dispatch. “… If we get feedback … we can revisit how we deal with Moncrief Park and how we plan for the future.”
Pool hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, 3-8 p.m. on Monday, and 1-8 p.m. from Tuesday to Friday. Admission for ages 13 and up is $5 per day, while ages 5-12 costs $3 daily. Ages 4 and under swim free.
Season passes are also available for $50 per person, or four-person family season passes are available for $150.
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