Community members gathered Wednesday evening, Jan. 21, to take part in the second of three public engagement meetings focused on shaping the design of a new Hoffman Pool.
Some 30 people attended the hour-plus meeting at the Bellefontaine High School Distance Learning Center, where architects and project leaders presented conceptual designs and gathered feedback on layout options, amenities, and long-term use. The new municipal pool is expected to be completed and open by the summer of 2027.
Members of the project design team in attendance included Keith Hall, principal and owner with Columbus-based MSA Design; Katie Freeland, lead architect and senior project manager; and Allison Rubadue, project designer. MSA Design is working with Water Technology Inc. as pool consultant, KLH Engineers for mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering, Schaefer as structural engineer, and The Kleingers Group for civil engineering and landscape architecture.
Also in attendance was Pat Ellis, president of the Bellefontaine Joint Recreation District board, who observed the discussion and community feedback.
The pool itself carries an estimated construction cost of $6.5 million, with the overall project projected at approximately $8 million once a new bathhouse and related site improvements are included.
One pool or two?
A central focus of the meeting was whether the new facility should feature one body of water or two separate pools, a decision with significant cost, operational, and programming implications.
CLICK HERE to view an MSA Design information packet containing new pool design concepts, amenity and bathhouse ideas and more.
Designers explained that a two-pool configuration would require additional infrastructure, limiting the project to approximately four major amenities, while a single-pool design could accommodate as many as six amenities within the same budget.
A two-pool layout could also provide added operational flexibility. If one pool were to require a temporary shutdown due to mechanical or water-quality issues, the second pool could potentially remain open, allowing portions of the facility to continue operating. A single-pool design, while more cost-efficient, would require careful planning to support multiple activities simultaneously.
Attendees broke into small discussion groups during the meeting and emerged roughly evenly split in their preferences between the one-pool and two-pool options.
Hoffman Pool manager Chris Watkins discusses the proposed new Hoffman Pool project:
Programming remains a priority
Pool Manager Chris Watkins, who has managed Hoffman Pool for the past 15 years, emphasized that the new facility must continue to support key programming, including learn-to-swim classes, swim lessons, and swim meets, which she described as vital to countywide recreation and safety.
Watkins said the current pool requires about five lifeguards. One vs. two pool options, and adding amenities with the new pool may require addtional staffing — which is already hard to find — and would increase operational costs, she said.
Even with those considerations in mind, Watkins said she believes the project is moving in the right direction, pointing to the strong groundwork laid by the late Parks Superintendent Kris Myers.
“We had a great leader in Kris Myers, and he put a tremendous amount of thought into this project,” Watkins said. “He talked with many of us about what he hoped the new facility could be, and his planning was very thorough. As we move forward, we’re not trying to replicate exactly what Kris would have done, but we are building on the strong foundation he created.”
One attendee expressed concern that diving opportunities have become limited or nonexistent at many larger city pools, noting that Logan County has long been fortunate to have spring diving board areas at Hoffman Pool.
The attendee said diving has been a focal point of enjoyment for generations of area youth and expressed hope those opportunities will not be lost in the new design. Designers acknowledged the concern and said diving options remain part of ongoing discussions.
All design concepts include zero-depth entry, improving accessibility for families, seniors, and individuals with mobility challenges. Designers said this feature may reduce or eliminate the need for a separate toddler pool like the one currently in place, though a dedicated toddler area remains an option.
Amenities under consideration
Designers presented a range of amenity options being considered for the new Hoffman Pool, noting that not all features shown would be included in the final design. Amenities discussed included:
• Zero-depth (walk-in) entry
• Lap swimming lanes
• Play structure and interactive water features
• Splash pad or spray features
• Climbing wall
• Lily pads and floating play elements
• Small slide, run-out slide, or tall slide ending in the pool
• Vortex or whirlpool-style feature
• One-meter and three-meter diving boards
• Platform diving
• Separate dive well
• Potential tot or youth pool area
• Shaded deck and seating areas
• Steps and in-water bench seating
Final amenity selections will depend on the pool configuration ultimately chosen, community priorities, and budget constraints.
Hall said the site’s overall grading will remain essentially the same, noting that major regrading or excavation would be cost-prohibitive given project budget constraints.
He emphasized that design attention will instead focus on improving access from the main parking lot along Allison Road to the pool entrance, creating smoother circulation and ensuring full ADA compliance. The outdated design requiring patrons to walk through the bathhouse to access the pool will be eliminated, the architect noted.
Project managers also hope to correct the placement of the pool’s mechanical systems, which are currently difficult to access and can require equipment that damages surrounding grounds during repairs.
Next steps
Architects with MSA Design said they will now evaluate input gathered during the meeting and begin placing amenities and a new bathhouse into more detailed design plans. As those elements are refined, cost figures related to the project will also be further developed.
The project remains in the conceptual phase, and public input will continue to play a key role as plans move toward final design and construction.
