Summary
The city's aging pools at Cato Park and Kanawha City could get fixed or replaced with a $2.3 million federal grant — but only if the city matches every dollar. Council already set aside $1 million for the pool work earlier this year.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 3
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
Up to $2.3 million in city matching funds if the grant is awarded.
Swimmers and residents who use the Cato Park and Kanawha City pools.
Families near Cato Pool lose their neighborhood pool for the summer and have raised numerous complaints.
Mentions & discussions (9)
City Council - Oct 19, 2026
The city is going after a federal grant to fix or replace two aging pools — but it must match the federal share dollar for dollar, committing roughly $2.3 million of city money if awarded.
Finance - Oct 19, 2026
The city's aging pools at Cato Park and Kanawha City could get fixed or replaced with a $2.3 million federal grant — but only if the city matches every dollar. Council already set aside $1 million for the pool work earlier this year.
Parks and Recreation Committee - Oct 5, 2026
The Cato Park pool has structural damage, a 40-plus-year-old filtration system, and a dangerous chemical leak — temporary repairs aren't cutting it anymore. A total overhaul is needed, and the city is working on grant funding since renovating all the aging pools at once would cost a fortune.
Parks and Recreation Committee - Jun 15, 2026
The city is overhauling how it sets and charges fees for parks, community centers, athletic fields, and riverfront rentals. Fees will live in a council-approved resolution rather than the code, making future updates faster, and new reservation rules cap how many bookings groups can hold.
Finance - Jun 15, 2026
The committee was scheduled to consider a bill and matching resolution that would change the fees, rates, and charges for using city-owned parks and recreational facilities. This could affect what residents pay for park amenities and programs.
City Council - Jun 1, 2026
Cato Park Pool is closed this summer because it needs massive renovations; the city is pursuing grants and pointing families to the city's three other pools.
Parks and Recreation Committee - Jun 1, 2026
Cato Pool won't open this year — the deep-end wall is bowing, the chlorination system leaks, and algae has forced repeated shutdowns in recent summers. A state grant match fell through, but the city is applying for more grants; a full pool overhaul could run around $10 million.
Charleston pools, splash pads start to reopen for Memorial Day Weekend
Charleston pools, splash pads start to reopen for Memorial Day Weekend WOWK 13 News
City Council - Jan 20, 2026
The city is chasing a $2 million grant, with $1 million of its own money, to repair the Cato Park pool before summer. Faegre noted fixing ALL city pools could run about $8 million.
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