Como Regional Park Pool

Como Regional Park Pool or just Como Pool is a public swimming pool located in the Como Park neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Como Pool was built on the former site of the Saint Paul Workhouse which was located in Como Park until 1960. The old pool was built in 1962 for $162,000 by a private operator, Public Pools Inc., which leased the land from the city. When the company when out of business in 1965 the city purchased the pool for $15,000. The old pool had a zero-depth entry pool with a mushroom fountain and a large swimming pool with a one-meter diving board.

In 2007 there were preliminary plans to close the original Como Pool which was in a deteriorating condition. The pool was nearing 50 years and was described as being “basically held together with bubblegum" by a local community organizer. The director of Parks and Recreation noted that the pool needed renovation but there were no plans or funding available at the time. In 2008 the city determined it would cost $1,000,000 to make the pool operational for the 2009 season and decided to close the pool and tear it down. Before closing the pool was visited by around 15,000 people each summer. At that point the city had no timeline for replacing the pool.

Planning for the new pool began in 2008. Community members were concerned about the potential size of the redevelopment. It was also confirmed there was no possibility of a private operator to run a waterpark. Neighbors had concerns about an increase in traffic for the surrounding area. The city sought public comment on proposed designs. The city argued the city needs a new pool because the only other outdoor pool, Highland Pool, often filled to capacity and noted a January 2008 3rd party survey which showed 74% of residents supporting major upgrades to Como Pool. Other people argued that because Como Park attracts regional visitors the new pool should be attractive for people from around the area.

Following a 2009 task force Parks and Recreation officials hoped to secure funding in 2010 for a 2011 opening. Local politician Ellen Anderson had hoped for a natural with an environmentally friendly filtration system but city officials decided against it due to concerns about the uncertainty regulations and time concerns. In the summer of 2009 the plan to replace Como Pool did not make the city's list of recommended projects to be funded despite lobbying by mayor Chris Coleman. A master plan was released in October 2009. The plan included a lazy river, a splash pool for children and a lap swimming pool

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