The City of Lenexa is moving forward with plans to transform Indian Trails Aquatic Center at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park into a community-wide outdoor pool with a range of modern features.
On Sept. 21, 2021, the Lenexa City Council approved a $15 million budget for renovations and programming as part of the 2022–2026 Capital Improvement Program. At the same meeting, the Council also authorized an agreement with Confluence, Inc., as the lead designer for architectural and engineering services. A construction manager for the project will be chosen soon.
Indian Trails Aquatic Center provides the most comprehensive aquatic center for the Lenexa and draws attendance from a wider area than the City's other two outdoor pools with fewer amenities.
Improvements will address the pool’s aging elements that have reached the end of their useful life. Parts of Indian Trails Aquatic Center were constructed in 1976 and others in 1998, which means portions of the pool and below-grade piping are over 40 years old. The oldest structures and systems need significant improvements soon.
The renovation project includes developing an appropriate mix of pool amenities for the future. According to public feedback from the recently completed Aquatics Study Phase II, residents are most interested in features like a lazy river, a rebuilt diving well, lap lanes, play features, shade and other comfort amenities.
The design process will begin this year. The City plans to close Indian Trails Aquatic Center from the fall of 2022 (after pool season ends) to the spring of 2024 for construction. The renovated facility would reopen for the summer 2024 pool season.
The 2022–2026 Capital Improvement Program also allocates $4 million to rebuild Ad Astra Pool (83rd Street and Maurer Road) as a neighborhood facility with a mix of amenities and programming that complement nearby Indian Trails Aquatic Center. This project will happen later so both pools are not closed for construction at the same time during the summer.
Flat Rock Creek Pool, Lenexa’s smallest and newest pool, was fully renovated for $2 million in 2012, and is still in good condition.
Photo by Wendy Delzeit
Published Sept. 22, 2021