Tennessee State Parks announced in December that the swimming pool at Norris Dam State Park will not re-open as major maintenance upgrades are required and the use of the pool has declined.
The swimming pool was closed in 2020 and 2021 due to complications related to COVID-19.
“Reopening the pool is unfeasible due to aging facilities, declining visitation pre-COVID 19, and high expenses,” a press release said.
The pool is 45 years old, and visitation was down 29 percent, the press release said.
Tennessee State Parks sought input from visitors in a December meeting, discussing replacement options for the swimming pool.
Tennessee State Parks has allocated $400,000 for the park to invest in new outdoor recreation activities. State parks officials have encouraged Tennesseans to voice their opinions on options for alternative, year-round outdoor recreational operations at the park.
“We believe it is unfair to Tennessee taxpayers for the state to continue to invest in the swimming pool with rising costs and declining use,†said Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “Fortunately, the Tennessee General Assembly has been very supportive of the parks in recent years, which has allowed us to allocate funding for options that are more fiscally responsible to taxpayers and that visitors can enjoy year-round. We first want to hear from visitors of the park about what they would prefer and use.â€
The funds for the park will go to options that can be used throughout the year, the press release said. The swimming pool, in contrast, operated only 70 days each year, the release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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