Edina Council to Vote on Aquatic Center Funding
The Edina City Council will vote July 15 on whether to use tax abatement bonds to fund a $9 million replacement of the Aquatic Center's deteriorating pump house, which has operated since 1958.
The aging infrastructure poses safety risks and operational concerns that could force facility closure if not addressed, according to city officials. The original pump house needs replacement with a code-compliant structure featuring modern systems. In 2021, a mechanical failure occurred just 10 days before the facility's scheduled opening, requiring used parts as an interim solution. The aquatic center experienced ongoing electrical spikes in 2024 that caused operational issues.
The city unsuccessfully sought state bonding for the project during the 2023 and 2025 legislative sessions. Municipal bonds for recreation projects face limitations, and increasing user fees would not generate necessary funding within the required timeline without significant rate increases that would impact affordability, city officials said.
The Finance Department proposed selling tax abatement bonds to cover the estimated project cost. City staff want to begin construction this year to complete the new pump house before the 2026 season opens.
Without the new construction, the aquatic center's filtration system could fail at any time, according to city engineers who evaluated both the structure's safety and equipment systems. Delays in addressing the infrastructure issues could lead to further deterioration, higher repair costs and potential facility closure.
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Full analysis
Votes (1)
Edina Aquatic Center Pump House Replacement Funding Decision
The city presented the critical need for pump house replacement due to 1958-era infrastructure creating safety and compliance risks. Staff outlined the history of failures (2021 mechanical failure requiring used parts as interim solution; 2024 electrical spikes). Multiple funding options were evaluated: state bonding proved unsuccessful; user fee increases would compromise affordability; bond referendums would delay action and risk further deterioration. Tax abatement bonds emerged as the only viable option, with finance staff confirming sufficient tax capacity exists in surrounding identified parcels to support the $9 million project. The decision was deferred to a July 15th city council meeting.
Notable Quotes (3)
The deteriorating infrastructure poses operational risks, safety concerns, and compliance issues which could force facility closures if left unaddressed.
We engaged an architect and engineer to look at not only the structure itself from a safety standpoint, but all the equipment and pieces of that pool. We realized that new construction was required and without this new construction there's a possibility that the aquatic center in itself and the filtration system may fail at any point in time.
We could essentially wait and do a bond referendum in the next couple of years. What does that mean? That would mean that we risk malfunctions at the aquatic center that would result in even bigger problems. So therefore if we want to take care of the problem now tax abatement is our only option and we do have that tax capacity within those surrounding identified parcels.
Ordinances & Resolutions (2)
Finance department proposal to issue tax abatement bonds for the $9 million pump house replacement project; decision scheduled for city council vote on July 15th.
Architectural and engineering plan developed by the city's facilities division to construct a new filter room adjacent to the current pump house, with construction targeted for this year and completion before the 2026 season.
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Other Topics from This Document
Edina Aquatic Center Pump House Replacement Project
Municipal Financing Options for Recreation Infrastructure
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