City preparing to launch Aquatics Feasibility Study

The City of Yuma is preparing to launch a comprehensive Aquatics Feasibility Study to better understand the community's current and future aquatic needs, and to help guide long-term planning for facilities, programs, and services.

The study will take approximately 11 months to complete and will examine Yuma's aquatic system, including the Valley Aquatic Center, Marcus Pool, Carver Pool and Kennedy Pool, along with City splash pads and other aquatic opportunities throughout the community. In addition to evaluating the City's existing aquatic facilities, the study will assess the community's current and future aquatic needs to help guide long-term planning.

As part of the evaluation, the study will include a review of existing facility conditions, current programs, participation trends, community demand, future programming needs, potential locations for future investments, staffing and operational models, as well as projected capital and operating costs. It will also explore how aquatic services can best support recreation, water safety, swim instruction, fitness, competitive swimming and other community needs.

The goal is to provide a practical, data-driven roadmap to help guide decisions about aquatic facilities, programs, and investments.

The study was identified as a priority in the City's Parks, Arts, Recreation and Trails (P.A.R.T.) Master Plan, adopted by the City Council in 2024 following extensive community engagement. Throughout that process, residents expressed interest in expanding aquatic opportunities for recreation, swim instruction, fitness, competitive swimming, and family activities.

"We know aquatics are important to many people in our community," said Parks and Recreation Director Eric Urfer. "This study will help us evaluate what we have today, understand how needs are changing and give City leadership reliable information to make decisions that are fiscally responsible and best positioned to meet the needs identified through the study."

Community input will be an important part of the study. Residents, aquatic users, community partners and other stakeholders will have opportunities to share their feedback through a community survey, public workshops, focus groups, and other engagement activities.

"This process does not begin with a predetermined solution," Urfer said. "We want to understand the needs, the opportunities and the long-term impacts so the City can make informed decisions about what is sustainable and best suited to serve Yuma into the future."

The City encourages everyone interested in the future of aquatics in Yuma to stay informed and participate when engagement opportunities become available.

Additional information, public engagement opportunities, project updates and study materials will be posted at YumaAz.gov/Aquatics-Feasibility-Study as the project moves forward.

For more information, contact Parks and Recreation at 928-373-5200.