The Grants Pass City Council is exploring the possible privatization of Caveman Pool.
During the Monday workshop session, Parks Superintendent Josh Hopkins gave an update on potential renovations to the city-owned municipal pool located near the campus of Grants Pass High School.
Hopkins reminded the Council that a Caveman Pool Committee was appointed in May 2023 and the committee came up with a $6.5 million proposal to renovate the facility in September 2024. However in January of this year, the newly-seated City Council voted to halt the project and redistribute the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improving public safety communications.
Hopkins presented a new plan to renovate Caveman Pool at a total cost of just over $1.5 million, but it was not well-received by members of the Council.
Councilor Kathleen Krohn floated the idea of transferring ownership of the pool to the Grants Pass School District or Grants Pass Family YMCA. Councilor Seth Benham requested the idea be moved to an additional workshop, with District 7 and YMCA representatives in attendance.
It was decided that City Manager Aaron Cubic will reach out to the school district and YMCA to see if they might be interested in taking over the municipal pool.
With the summer season rapidly approaching, some Council members asked how much it would cost to operate the pool this year without any renovations.
