News

Below you will find the link to the video of last night's meeting where Fire Marshal Owens gives a presentation on the status of the roof structure at the pool.

We encourage citizens to watch the meeting video, to gain more insight into possible next steps explained by Denison City Council.

As we move forward, swim services will be relocated to Austin College. City Council will continue exploring community partnerships and potential long-term solutions to meet Denison’s aquatic needs (like reviewing costs for a substantial renovation of the existing structure, or what would be needed for a brand-new facility.)

This decision follows an August 21 inspection by an independent third-party engineer and the City Fire Marshal that identified significant safety concerns, including an unstable roof structure, accelerated corrosion of structural beams, and deterioration of the pool liner and shell.

We know Waterloo Pool is much more than a facility. For generations of Denison families, it has been a place where children learned to swim, athletes trained, friendships were formed, and countless summer memories were made. We understand how much this pool means to our community.

Waterloo Pool has served Denison for more than 60 years, far exceeding its originally anticipated lifespan.

While multiple improvements and repairs have helped extend its operation, unofficial early estimates from third-party engineers calculate remediation of concerns could cost an estimated $7.5 to 10 million.

Waterloo Pool was originally constructed in the 1960’s with a proposed life expectancy of 30 years, and the roof structure was added in 1995. Due to diligence of staff, the pool has surpassed that expectancy. Reports discussed by council in 2023, indicated a limited life cycle for the facility. In 2024, inspections indicated the pool was not safe to be open when wind speeds reached over 20 MPH. Staff has been operating under this protocol since. The pool has undergone multiple improvement projects in efforts to extend operations. Each project or repair worked to keep the pool operating safely for as long as possible.

The optional $5 Waterloo Pool fee will also be suspended while Council continues evaluating the future of the facility.

We know this news is difficult for many in our community. We are grateful for every memory made at Waterloo Pool and every person who has been part of its story.

Safety must remain our priority, and we are committed to thoughtfully considering what comes next for aquatics in Denison.

You can find the full news release here: https://denisontx.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/156