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Denison City Council closes Waterloo Pool indefinitely due to safety concerns

The Denison City Council voted to close Waterloo Pool indefinitely after inspections revealed significant structural deterioration, with swim services relocating to Austin College.

Tobias Iverson

September 16, 20261 min read

Denison civic pool - illustration, Jake Team LLC

The Denison City Council has announced the indefinite closure of Waterloo Pool following a special meeting held Tuesday night. The decision was made after city officials received concerning information regarding the condition of the facility. As the city moves forward, swim services will be relocated to Austin College.

According to the city, an independent third-party engineer and the city Fire Marshal conducted a detailed inspection on August 21, 2026. The inspection identified several major safety concerns, including an unsecured and unstable roof structure, accelerated corrosion of structural beams, and deterioration of the pool liner and shell.

Mayor Robert Crawley stated that the council has a responsibility to protect the safety of residents and city employees. "We know Waterloo Pool holds a special place in the hearts of generations of Denison families," Crawley said. "We recognize the history and significance of this facility, and we understand how deeply our community cares about its future."

The pool was originally constructed in the 1960s with a proposed life expectancy of 30 years, with the roof structure added in 1995. City reports from 2023 indicated a limited life cycle for the facility. In 2024, inspections indicated the pool was not safe to open when wind speeds exceeded 20 MPH, a protocol staff have followed since that time.

Despite multiple improvement projects aimed at extending operations, unofficial early estimates from third-party engineers suggest that remediation of the current concerns could cost between $7.5 million and $10 million.

City Council members, staff, and a pool committee have spent several weeks reviewing information from engineers and community members to determine the best path forward. The council will continue to discuss potential community partnerships and other long-term solutions to address aquatic needs. The optional $5 Waterloo Pool fee will be suspended while the council explores future options.

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Tobias Iverson

Tobias Iverson covers Denison city hall, the council, and county government.

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