The City of Santa Fe released an update on May 29 regarding the status of its pools and aquatic facilities, addressing recent closures, maintenance practices, staffing issues, and ongoing repair efforts.
According to the city’s statement, the Bicentennial Pool’s main pool remains open while the Tot Pool is temporarily closed due to a boiler malfunction. The Genoveva Chavez Community Center has kept both its Therapy Pool and leisure pool open; however, Therapy Pool hours have been reduced due to staffing levels and increased summer programming demands. The leisure pool slide feature is temporarily unavailable during scheduled repairs.
The Fort Marcy Recreation Complex is currently closed because of staffing shortages. The city anticipates reopening this facility on June 8 with limited operating hours as new lifeguards complete hiring and onboarding processes. Updated schedules will be posted online when available. Meanwhile, Salvador Perez Pool remains closed pending full repair assessments and cost estimates.
City officials said that maintenance work occurs year-round as weather permits, but not all mechanical failures can be predicted or prevented. For example, although preventive maintenance was up to date at Bicentennial Tot Pool before its boiler failure, the issue was caused by an unexpected mechanical problem that was not identified during regular inspections.
The city also outlined measures being taken to address unforeseen maintenance needs through newly established budget funding aimed at supporting efficient responses when unexpected issues arise. Preventive maintenance schedules are followed by certified staff in coordination with specialized contractors who monitor systems regularly.
Looking ahead, Santa Fe officials said they are focusing on lifeguard recruitment and retention efforts, along with maintaining operational funding for daily operations. They are also collaborating with schools, swim clubs, and community partners to address staffing shortages and improve long-term aquatic programming capacity.
