Lexington pool reopens after 2-year hiatus. Why it’s a first in the state
It’s been a long, hot summer for the neighborhoods in Lexington’s Georgetown Street corridor.
The neighborhood pool and hangout — Douglass pool — has been closed since the summer of 2023.
But on Thursday, after two summers with no pool, Douglass finally reopened.
“We are thrilled to officially open this long, long, long awaited facility,” said Mayor Linda Gorton during an official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday. “This is a fun, refreshing addition to our community.”
In addition to lap lanes, a diving well, and a stand-alone slide, the new Douglass Aquatic Center has the first “wet bubble” in the state. A wet bubble is a 10-meter beach ball where kids of all ages can climb up on and slide down.
It also has a climbing wall, a splash pad for smaller kids and plenty of shade structures. That’s a major upgrade from the old Douglass pool, originally built in 1939, which only had lap lanes and a diving pool and none of the modern aquatic amenities.
Gorton said former Lexington-Fayette Urban County Councilwoman Tayna Fogle pushed the city in 2023 to overhaul the pool, which is between Georgetown Street and Newtown Pike. The pool is next to Booker T. Washington Elementary School and Douglass Park on Hunter Lane.
“Her persistence, enthusiasm, and advocacy truly paved the way for this facility. She set us on the path toward this beautiful renovation, and today we celebrate the results,” Gorton said during Thursday’s grand opening.
Other council members also praised the reopening. The pool is more than a relief from soaring temperatures. It’s a community gathering space, helps keep kids safe by offering activities during the summer and keeps people healthy.
“This aquatics center is about community opportunity and equity,” said Councilman Tyler Morton, who represents the First District, where Douglass Pool is located. “For years, neighbors have shared their hopes for a safe, modern, accessible space where families can gather, kids can enjoy healthy recreation, and seniors can stay active. Today those hopes are now reality.”
Councilwoman Shayla Lynch, who represents the 2nd District, whose neighborhoods also use the pool, said the revamped Douglass Aquatics Center was developed with feedback and input from the Georgetown street neighborhoods.
“I distinctly remember attending the Georgetown Street Area Neighborhood Association meeting in January, 2023 after being elected into office,” Lynch said. “And the first thing that was asked to me was: ‘What about the pool?’ We need a new pool.’ I’m extremely excited that this day has come and we are all here to celebrate this long overdue project.”
Originally slated to open earlier this year, construction delays, mainly caused by the weather, pushed back the opening of the pool, said Monica Conrad, the director of Parks and Recreation. Unfortunately, that meant Douglass Aquatic Center opened after most of the city pools have closed during weekdays.
The city operates three of its six pools on a limited schedule after Fayette County Public Schools begins school. That’s because the majority of the city’s lifeguards are high school and college students, Conrad said.
Douglass, Southland and Shillito aquatic centers now operate from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m on Sundays. All aquatic centers close Sept. 1, or Labor Day.
Conrad said they hope to have a grand reopening again in May 2026. By next summer, additional features, including an aquatic zip line and a diving board will be installed.
The pool is more than just a nice amenity. It could save someone’s life, said Freida Downey, who runs a program that teaches deaf, hard of hearing and blind children how to swim.
It’s Downey’s goal to make sure people, particularly people of color, learn to swim. People of color disproportionately die by drowning, Downey said.
“My goal is to prevent all drowning deaths in Kentucky,” Downey said. With its zero-entry entrance, which means no steps, the new, improved Douglass pool is more accessible than the old one, she said.
“This is a wonderful addition to the West End,” Downey said.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 9:11 AM.
