CRYSTAL, Minn. — Swimming pools lose water every day, but a few years ago city workers in Crystal noticed the main pool at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center was losing a lot more than it used to.
"It's about 18,000 gallons per day,” Crystal Recreation Director John Elholm says.
In 2021, Elholm says the city hired a consultant to investigate the water loss at the pool.
They discovered a leak in the main pool that needed to be fixed or the pool would need to close.
"We did a lot of public engagement to find out what does the community think about this,” Elholm says.
The city conducted a phone survey with 400 residents.
Elholm says 85% of the respondents said the pool should be fixed.
A survey online showed an even higher number, with 95% of respondents supporting the idea of using taxpayer money to fix the pool.
"It's such a great resource for the community. It's close to home... place where kids can learn how to swim."
Elholm says between 400 and 600 kids receive swimming lessons at the pool every year and most of them don't even live in Crystal.
"Our lessons draw from all over this area. Over 60% of our use comes from outside of Crystal,” Elholm explains.
So, the city decided to ask the state legislature to help them pay for it.
Besides the $3 million investment from the city, state lawmakers also approved $2.35 million in the bonding bill.
In the meantime, Elholm says the pool will stay open this summer, leaking water each day, so kids and their parents can have a safe place to swim.
"The adults took their lessons here, now their kids are taking their lessons here. It's been kind of a family tradition over the years."
Over the next couple of months, city officials will go over some plans to find the most efficient way possible to fix this pool.
Elholm says they are hoping to start construction on the project next year.