Foley moving forward with plans for new aquatic center
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A new aquatics center is coming to Foley, replacing the outdoor pool at Max Griffin Park that has served the city for more than 70 years.
The city has announced construction plans are now complete + the bidding process will start later this year. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2026.
Foley hopes the new facility will fulfill the city’s need for year-round swimming + recreation programs that do not have to rely on the weather.
“We’re going from a Memorial Day to the start of school facility to a year-round center that more meets the needs of our citizens. It’s time we had this in Foley.”
Ralph Hellmich, Foley mayor
Hellmich said the new pool will allow local swim teams, children and other residents to use the facility throughout the year. The city said membership for the swimming teams has grown in recent years + the facility will help accommodate that growth.
Foley Aquatic Center
Plans for an indoor aquatic center have been in the works for several years with the city hosting public comment sessions since the original plan was put in place.
The Aquatics Center will be built in Max Griffin Park on West Roosevelt Avenue near the site of the existing outdoor swimming pool. The current pool will remain open while the aquatics center is under construction.
City officials hope to go out for bids on construction later this year. The project is expected to take roughly 18 months to complete after construction begins.
The city said one of the most common requests from residents was to have two pools inside the center.
“They wanted a therapy pool and they wanted a competition pool, and that’s what we have. That’s a great idea because if one of those two pools gets shut down, we can still continue business. Today, if that happens, we’re done for the day.”
David Thompson, Foley executive director for leisure service
The center will also have outside restrooms that will replace the restrooms now in place at the current pool.
The current outdoor pool will be replaced with a different facility after the Aquatics Center opens. Hellmich said proposals for facilities at the site of the existing outdoor pool include a splash pad or pavilion.
