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After a yearlong closure, residents can now cool off at University City pool

Flash flooding stopped the 2022 Heman Park Pool season. That's why the 2023 season is starting late.

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. — The University City pool is turning 90 years old this year. What's a better birthday gift than the reopening of the swimming pool after a yearlong closure?

From noon to 6 p.m., visitors can cool off at Heman Park Pool. Monthly membership and daily admissions are available to purchase here.

Last summer's catastrophic flooding left a tidal wave of repair work for the parks department.

"We were a good three feet or so underwater in this building, as well as the pool," Darren Dunkle, director of University City Parks, Recreation and Forestry, said while standing inside the currently closed Heman Park Pool lobby.  

According to Dunkle, catastrophic flash flooding in July 2022 caused about $760,000 in damage to the pool facility. New electrical work and fencing are just a few of the significant repairs implemented. 

Pool pumps were one of the big-ticket items for Dunkle. Supply chain issues delayed the pool repair job and so did lack of workers.

"When it's a smaller scope of work or a smaller dollar amount, they aren't as eager to take those jobs as they are the bigger jobs, " Dunkle said. "There is a lot of construction work going on in the area."

Dunkle's department was enthused to reopen the pool just in time for summer. 

“I would like to thank the Mayor, Council, and our residents for their patience as we have worked diligently to reopen the pool in a safe manner. We are excited to be able to open the pool this summer and welcome the residents back to the beloved Heman Park Pool,” said City Manager Gregory Rose.  

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