By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Wilson swimming pool in east Hays did not open this year due to a compromised water return line.
Hays city commissioners and representatives of the Hays Recreation Commission toured the 54-year-old facility, 28th and Fort, with Jeff Boyle, parks director, on Thursday afternoon.
Built in 1972, Wilson Pool has served the community for more than five decades.
It needs $10,000 worth of repairs, paint and an ADA chair lift in order to open in the spring of 2027, Boyle told commissioners. Another unbudgeted $140,000 for mechanical issues and future upgrades needs to be addressed in the near future.
Since 2021, Wilson Pool has averaged about 50 patrons a day, according to statistics compiled by city staff.
In 2018, a high of 4,058 patrons used the small pool and adjoining kiddie pool. In 2025, there were 2,845 admissions. The pool was closed in 2020 due to COVID.
When the ARC Park splash pad opened in 2021, Boyle said Wilson attendance dropped by about 1,000 people a year.
The Hays Recreation Commission manages Wilson and the Hays Aquatic Park for the city, which pays for chemicals, repairs and maintenance.
Revenue for Wilson Pool in 2025 totaled just less than $5,000.
It's considered a quality-of-life amenity and is not expected to generate a profit for the city or Hays Recreation Commission.
The city's lost $8,000 in operating expenses in 2025 at the Wilson pool, and the Recreation Commission's loss was $11,000.
The tour was arranged so city commissioners could see for themselves the condition of the pool and its mechanics prior to their joint meeting with the Recreation Commission coming up in December.
The pool also has had staffing problems, and it's expected to get worse.
"There's two lifeguard out here every day when it's open," said Matt Cook, Recreation Commission superintendent, "but when they're needed at the Hays Aquatic Park, we have to close down Wilson."
Cook also pointed to the low unemployment rate in Ellis County and recent opening of Chick-Fil-A, which hired a lot of local teens and college students, the typical age of the lifeguard work force.
"There's definitely some staff issues that potentially would arise," Cook said.
During the tour, Boyle said there are a backup chlorinator and pump, and a chemical controller at the Hays Aquatic Park. But if either one was moved to Wilson to replace a failing unit, it would require ordering a new backup.
Despite the small neighborhood pool being closed this summer, commissioners and city staff said they had no complaints.
One family that lives near Wilson did ask for a refund for the season pass, and received it, Cook said.
"I think everybody has just been holding their breath the last five years, wondering when it's going to go," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner.
She asked Boyle what his recommendation would be for the pool's future.
"If this was my pool, I would not spend the money to fix it," Boyle replied.
There would be decommissioning costs to close the pool, fill in the holes and raze the pool house, said Toby Dougherty, city manager.
The group talked about Hays USD 489's possible interest in the site and building for the new administration center.
Wilson school, which sits north of the swimming pool, was closed by the district at the end of the last school year.
The school district hopes to move its administrative offices from Rockwell Administrative Center into Wilson next fall. It also is considering building a new warehouse on what used to be the paved playground area.
The Rockwell land and building are for sale.
The city leases the land occupied by the pool from USD 489.
SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 BOE discuss Wilson renovations, member questions cost
The annual joint meeting between the city of Hays and Hays Recreation Commission is expected to be scheduled in December.