Foley plans new aquatic center to replace 71-year-old city pool

FOLEY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — The City of Foley finalized plans to build a new indoor aquatics center that will open to the public by the end of 2026.

The new pool will replace the 71-year-old pool in Max Griffin Park. City officials said the facility requires a major update.

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“As I was growing up, I swam in it,” Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “However, it doesn’t meet the needs of our citizens now in regard to a year-round facility.”

Foley’s population is rapidly growing, and city officials said the new aquatic center is a part of the city’s efforts to keep up with the surge of new residents.

“We are upgrading to meet the needs of our new citizens. We are now at 26,000 people,” Hellmich said. “Our city council has recognized that the growth has to be addressed. We cannot sit on the sidelines and utilize the same infrastructure that we have.”

Although the facility is still being designed, city officials said the design should be complete next summer with construction starting by August 2025.

The new aquatic center will be a saltwater-based pool and be a standard regulation length for people who swim competitively or recreationally.

In addition, the pool will have a zero-entry access, which is a sloping entrance that gradually leads into the water. This design replaces traditional stairs and ladders, making it more accessible for swimmers who may find it difficult to use stairs or ladders to enter and exit the pool.

The new aquatic center is set to open by the end of 2026.

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