Aquatics Program

New Aquatics Center to be constructed at the Bartow Civic Center

The Bartow City Commission voted at their regular meeting on Aug. 19, 2024 to construct a new municipal aquatics center at the City’s Civic Center, located at 2250 S. Floral Ave.  The decision followed a months-long process of information gathering that included multiple Commission Workshops, a Community meeting and survey of residents and business owners.

The Civic Center is the site of the City’s old pool, which was closed several years ago due to infrastructure and mechanical issues. That pool will be filled in to accommodate a more modern aquatics center design that will include additional amenities. 

The goals for a pool and aquatics program include:

• Teach children within our community to swim with year-round learn-to-swim programs
• Provide a water entertainment amenity for all residents
• Establish an aquatics program for all ages to include activities like water aerobics and wellness programs
• Offer a conditioning option for local competitive swimmers*

The Commission also considered the construction of the center at the vacant Oaks building which is located on Wilson Ave. across from City Hall. It was suggested that locating the aquatics center at a more central location close to downtown could spark future development and bolster downtown businesses.

The more than 960 residents who responded to the survey and the 50 individuals who attended the Community meeting were overwhelmingly in favor of the Civic Center location, many citing memories of swimming there in their youth.

Construction of the aquatics center, which will include a main pool with six 25-yard exercise lanes, a zero-depth entry children’s pool with play structures, a splash pad with interactive water features, a shaded event pavilion and the necessary pump and filter equipment, will cost approximately $3.93 million. Annual operating expenses are expected to amount to nearly $500,000. The construction costs will be taken from the City’s reserve funds.

Construction is projected to begin next summer with the center opening to the public in July or August of 2026.