The Longview City Council and ISD meet to discuss the natatorium

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – What was once one pool for all of Longview a few months ago could be three pools in a few years.

The Stamper Park pool was approved in July and the new Longview ISD outdoor natatorium was approved in May.

“I love swimming, and I know we needed it when it came to parks, recreation and attractions in the city. We really did that. I’m one of those who thinks, “If you built it, they will come.” Well, we are building it and everyone will come, so it will be a great thing for the Longview community,” said Longview ISD Board President Michael Tubb.

Both the city and school district said they want to work together to bring summer programs to the public.

The city’s concerns relate to maintenance, upkeep and costs.

“I worry that as we all try to balance a budget, one of us will end up in a deficit. So I want us all to keep that in mind,” City Council Member Michelle Gamboa said during the meeting.

One of the city’s main focuses has been public access and the provision of public programs.

“To think about learn-to-swim programs, working with Longview ISD and adding our other ISDs, Pine Tree, Spring Hill and Hallsville – to think about how we can partner with them to offer swim lessons to all of our ISDs is a very exciting opportunity that we have not had in the past,” said Longview Mayor Kristen Ishihara.

Tubb said 20 acres were acquired for the complex and natatorium, on the site of an old Henderson home. The city will have to decide later in the design phase what to do with the house.

“We had some discussions about closing the airline or rerouting another route and connecting those 20 acres to our existing main campus, but with closing the road it would just be a bit too much logistics and it would also increase the pressure on the road. timelines back,” Tubb said.

The design phase is expected to last 6 to 12 months. The natatorium is expected to start in 2025 and the next bond update meeting is on November 11.