An Evansville architectural firm will evaluate the city’s Hartke Pool site and present options for its future.
Mayor Stephanie Terry said in February that the swimming pool at 201 N. Boeke Road would close indefinitely because of its deteriorated condition. The firm, Hafer, will consider the cost of reopening Hartke as a swimming pool while exploring other alternatives for the property.
Hafer’s contract for $39,500 was unanimously approved on June 26 by the Evansville Board of Park Commissioners.
During that meeting, board President Michelle Peterlin said she and others on the board believe neighborhood swimming pools are important, but guidance is needed on the cost and feasibility of keeping a pool at the Hartke location.
“That’s why we’re doing the study,” Peterlin said.
Hafer will do a lot of work in a short time.
Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Paul Bouseman says the firm will examine the site’s soil and infrastructure and, by early September, will present concepts for future uses.
Parks and Recreation then will solicit community feedback on the alternatives, Bouseman says. It hasn’t yet been determined how the public comment process will take place.
Hartke Pool, which is just off Lloyd Expressway and near Swonder Ice Arena, opened in 1959, and its last significant renovation was in 1989. Its condition has concerned city officials for a while – last summer, its splash pad was closed, and the pool itself only was open on weekends.
The property’s maintenance woes include damage around the pool deck, malfunctioning pipes used for pool water circulation and cleaning, visible cracks throughout the pool itself, and corrosion on the pool’s pumps, hardware, and steel filters. The pool also sustained damage in a 2022 storm.
A water slide at the pool was removed in 2014.
On Evansville’s West Side, Helfrich Pool is also not open this summer. That leaves with city with three outdoor public pools still in use.
Rochelle Landers at 701 Lincoln Ave. is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Open through July 28.
Mosby at 1101 S. Barker Ave. is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Open through July 28.
Lorraine at 2399 E. Adams Ave. is open 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Open through Aug. 4.
All three of those pools charge $2 for ages 13 and older and $1 for ages 4-12. Children 3 and younger are admitted free.
In addition, the indoor Deaconess Aquatic Center at 24 Don Mattingly Way in Garvin Park has a $6 daily rate.
