Lubbock Councilwoman said the city is working hard to provide summer activities amid pool closures

LUBBOCK, Texas — Lubbock community members have expressed concerns lately about being without public pools this summer after the news that Clapp Pool was closed for the season.

Questions such as what kids will do to get activity while they’re out of school, or concerns about having to travel elsewhere for a public pool have circulated in social media comments.

EverythingLubbock.com spoke with Lubbock City Councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia about her response to the concerns and what the future of public pools in Lubbock might look like.

According to Martinez-Garcia, there is a reason the city cannot immediately start building new pools, as the city needs to have the funds for the project first and foremost. In the meantime, the councilwoman is hoping citizens can focus on what the city does have, like the new splash pad coming to Rogers Park this summer.

“When I saw all of the comments, the negative comments and the misinformation about splash pads. I was a little bit surprised,” Martinez-Garcia said. “I mean we had pools for 78 years and they were just falling apart. There were so many issues with them and now we are making something happen and this is a beginning.”

The splash pad that’s currently being constructed at Rogers Park is based on what citizens asked for in the parks and recreation master plan two years ago. The park will include a pickleball court, sand volleyball and a dog park along with the splash pad.

The amenities were funded by AARPA funds and won’t require any admission fees for citizens. This is different from building a public pool, which would require a lot of monetary investment for its creation and upkeep, according to Martinez-Garcia.

“It costs money and in order to provide the citizens with what they want, we may face increasing taxes or a bond,” Martinez-Garcia said. “The city can only do so much. We have to be responsible. We’re stewards of the public’s money.”

Right now, money is being spent on rebuilding the long-standing Clapp Pool, which needed repairs. The city hopes it will reopen for next summer. However, most of all, Martinez-Garcia hopes citizens can focus on what the city has to offer at this time.

“I think it’s up to the family to come and enjoy and embrace but you also have to give things time and give them a chance. Give us a chance,” Martinez-Garcia said.

While the future of city pools in Lubbock is uncertain for now, here is a list of where you can swim in the city this summer.

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