LONGVIEW, Texas — Longview City Council is continuing the discussion around aquatics next week, including the possible addition of a new pool in the south part of Longview.
The council voted to abandon the Longview Swim Center in May. Councilmembers will hold a work session Tuesday, July 9 at 5:30 pm. in the Eitelman Conference Room at the Longview Convention Complex, located at 100 Grand Blvd in Longview.
Some of the discussion items for the work session include a presentation of the current status and history of Longview aquatics, recommendation for an aquatics study and the city of Longview aquatics. Related items are about the city's fund balance and capital improvement projects.
A few days later, on Thursday, July 11, the Longview City Council will consider a proposal to construct a public swimming pool at Stamper Park during its regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. The agenda item proposes amending the 2023-24 budget by allocating $3.5 million toward the project.
City Councilpersons Shannon Moore (District 2) and Wray Wade (District 3) placed the Stamper Park proposal on the council agenda, city of Longview spokesperson Richard Yeakley said.
Stamper Park has been in operation since before 1960 and a swimming pool at the park was closed in 1998, according to the city of Longview website.
Yeakley explained that neighborhood-style pools on city-owned properties have been discussed as a possible answer to the ongoing aquatics issue. John Albertson, director of parks and recreation, had told officials a neighborhood-style pool would cost an estimated $3.5 million.
Ahead of the Stampert Park proposal, Mayor Kristen Ishihara is set to give an update about Tuesday's aquatics work session and the mayor’s taskforce, according to Thursday's city council agenda.
Yeakley said next week's plans are a continuation of ongoing conversations about aquatics to ensure the needs of the Longview community are met.
On May 23, the council voted 4-3 to abandon the Longview Swim Center. That vote called for city staff to return in 90 days with a plan for addressing aquatics facilities in Longview, according to reporting from the Longview News-Journal.
The Longview Swim Center is on property owned by Pine Tree ISD, but the pool has been operated and maintained for many years under an agreement with the district. The city also owns and operates Ingram Pool on 10th Street, the News-Journal reported.