Construction to begin on new Cary aquatic facility in June

Construction on a new outdoor aquatic facility at Cary-Grove Park is set to start in June, according to the Cary Park District.

The plan for the center includes a leisure pool with zero-depth entry, a variety of slides and water play features, a current channel, and a lap pool with diving boards, a climbing wall and eight 25-yard lanes. Other amenities include deck and lawn chairs, shade sails, locker rooms, concessions and a party room.

The first part of construction will consist of site improvements, including grading and layout, Cary Park District Executive Director Dan Jones said.

Cary park commissioners began discussions on the initial concept plan for the aquatic center in 2020 after deciding in September 2019 to move forward with the project.

It is meant to replace the Cary Park District's current outdoor pool, which is more than 40 years old and was built when Cary's population was between 4,500 and 6,000. About 21,500 residents now live in the area.

The new outdoor facility also is expected to have a 40-year life span.

Jones said the existing Cary Community Center Pool will be in operation this summer, but will eventually be demolished and removed.

The time frame for this demolition is expected to be established in the fall, Jones said.

Site improvements for the facility are estimated to cost $3 million to $4 million, and the cost of the leisure and lap pools, slides, water amenities, seating, bathhouse, concession and support buildings are estimated to total $7 million to $8 million, bringing the overall estimated project cost to about $12 million.

No property tax increases will be needed to pay for the center, the park district has said. In October, a bond for $3 million was issued by the park district, with another one for $9 million to be issued this month.

A grand opening for the outdoor aquatic center is planned for May 2022.