Jake Spitzack
Staff Writer
As summer draws near, the City of South St. Paul is facing a conundrum regarding its oldest outdoor aquatic center, Northview Pool at 635 18th Ave. N. The pool is experiencing major mechanical problems that are costing the city thousands annually.
The 68-year-old pool was closed during the “COVID” summers of 2020 and 2021, and upon reopening in 2022 staff noticed that the water level was decreasing faster than usual. Last year the situation was worse so they installed a meter to monitor water levels. It was found that the 250,000-gallon pool was losing an astonishing 12,000 gallons a day due to extensive leaks and broken pipes – costing the city what would equate to about $150 per day in water usage fees, or $20,000 for a pool season.
Has the pool seen its last days? According to the City’s recently completed Parks System Plan and Buildings & Facilities Master Plan, the answer is yes. Both plans were completed by independent contractors and each recommended that aquatics facilities in South St. Paul be consolidated and the Northview Pool be retired. Much of the pool infrastructure dates to the original build, including the pool shell,
piping, filtration system, concession stand and locker rooms, and all are beyond their usable life. Last year Kraus-Anderson Construction found the following to be in poor or critical condition: the concrete pool deck, water heaters, boiler, pool basin, ADA access and bathroom skylights. The firm recommended their replacement by 2025, at a projected cost of $1.36 million. Staff estimate that the cost to address all maintenance items would be just under $2 million. Demolishing the pool and pool house would be around $150,000.
The Dakota County Department of Health last year ordered the City to refinish the visibly distressed pool shell by May 15. As of presstime, the city hadn’t determined a timeline for completing the work.
In early April, the City requested $500,000 in state funding for the design of a new outdoor swimming pool and aquatics center to replace the Northview Pool. Last year, the City requested similar state funding to assist with the design and construction of a new public works facility. That request is being considered this legislative session.
Northview pool has playful amenities such as a diving board and climbing wall and has long been an oasis for open swim, swim lessons and pool parties. The other city-owned aquatic facility is the 15,000-gallon Splash Pool at Lorraine Park, 756 3rd Ave. S., which dates to 1993.
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