FRANKLIN, Ohio — The Paul E. Fitzgerald pool will not open for the 2025 season as it has not met the health department's criteria and won't receive a permit, according to Franklin city officials.

What You Need To Know

  • The health department is not giving an operations permit to the Paul E. Fitzgerald pool

  • There were several major issues including an electrical bonding issue, leaks and not being up to the health department's code

  • To replace the pool entire, it would cost $4.5 million

  • It cost the city approximately $200,000 annually to operate the pool

"Unfortunately, I have some disheartening news, because the pool has now outlived its 50-year life" said Vice Mayor Todd Hall in a video on the pool's website. "We are out of options to repair."

One of the issues is an electrical bonding issue which could cause electrical failure in the pool and pose a safety risk. Another concern is the pool's inability to comply with health codes as current regulations require all pools to have separate filtration and chemical feed systems. The city said there is no space for the systems in the existing building, which would mean a necessary expansion. 

Officials also said there are major structural leaks in both the gutter system and the bottom of the pool and led to the water loss of more than 5 million gallons per month. Because of the turnover, it was difficult to maintain warm water temperatures and led to complaints and the inability to open because of the cold temperatures.

Another major concern is the underground return piping failure, which is embedded in cement and has deteriorated significantly and caused circulation and proper chlorine distribution.

The city said repairs are not feasible because of the health code and the cost to replace the pool and bring it up to code would be an estimated $4.5 million. According to a release, the city has made repairs over the years since the pool was built in 1977, but electrical bonding issues from last season revealed other underlying problems. 

It cost the city approximately $200,000 annually to operate the pool with Franklin Township contributing between $25,000 to $35,000 per year toward the operations.

Mayor Brent Centers said there are several new additions coming to the city's parks this summer even with the pool closing.

One addition is a splash pad at Dial Park which will accomodate children and families of all abilities. This is phase one of the plans for the park, with phase two having just been approved for a restroom to be built near the new splashpad.

"While this is bittersweet, Franklin has always been and will always be a community that adapts and looks towards the future," Centers said in the video.

The city said there are currently no plans for a new pool to be constructed, but it looks for the best use of the pool structure.