Work is scheduled to start before the end of 2026 following the completion of construction plans on an indoor Aquatics Center that will provide year-round recreation for Foley swimmers.

The new facility will be built in Max Griffin Park near the city’s existing outdoor pool, which has served generations of Foley families since 1953.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the Aquatics Center will expand opportunities for swimmers of all ages while providing a modern facility that can be used throughout the year.

“We’re going from a Memorial Day to the start of school facility to a year-round center that more meets the needs of our citizens,” Hellmich said. “It’s time we had this in Foley.”

The center will allow local swim teams to train year-round instead of relocating during periods when weather prevents use of the outdoor pool. It will also provide more opportunities for children, families and recreational swimmers.

David Thompson, executive director of leisure services, said interest in swimming continues to grow in Foley.

“We’ve had over 100 kids for the last couple of years,” Thompson said. “We have a great swim coach, so we have a lot of momentum around aquatics right now.”

The Aquatics Center will feature two pools under one roof—a competition pool and a therapy pool—a feature residents consistently requested during public meetings held as the project was being planned.

“They wanted a therapy pool and they wanted a competition pool, and that’s what we have,” Thompson said. “That’s a great idea because if one of those two pools gets shut down, we can still continue business. Today, if that happens, we’re done for the day.”

The facility will also include new exterior restrooms that will replace the restrooms serving the current outdoor pool.

The existing outdoor pool will remain open while construction is underway. The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete once construction begins.

After the Indoor Aquatics Center opens, the current outdoor pool will be replaced with a new recreational amenity. City officials are considering options for the site, including a splash pad or pavilion.

Planning for the Aquatics Center has been underway for several years, with community input helping shape the final design. The completed facility is expected to provide expanded recreation opportunities and support Foley’s growing aquatics programs for years to come.