Dike’s public pool closed this summer due to safety concerns

The city of Dike will not open its pool this season due to a lengthy list of much-needed repairs. The City Council unanimously voted to close it on March 13 after taking a tour of the facility.

Mayor Sadie Six said this was bound to happen at some point because the pool is 47 years old. The city was made aware of its condition during annual budget presentations.

“There’s been short term fixes in the past, so we’re looking for more of a long term fix,” she said.

The city provided a myriad of repairs the pool needs to th

e council. Among those were finding and fixing a large water leak, replacing pool filters, completing cement work around and inside the pool, fixing pool return jets, repairing pool gutters and other cosmetic fixes.

No cost estimates have been determined yet. Once there is an estimate, city officials will work to find an engineering firm.

Six said the closure is not due to a lack of funding to run the pool, but rather to look out for the residents.

“It didn’t come as a surprise to anyone …. I think (the public was) pretty understanding,” she said. “They know we’re trying to keep the community and visitors to our community safe.”

Although the pool will be closed, Six noted the newly constructed splash pad at the Kruger-Hemmen Sports Complex will be open.

Earlier this month, another Cedar Valley community considered closing its public pool. Waverly officials say the cost of needed repairs could affect the fiscal year 2025 budget. The city has not yet decided if the pool will be open.