Bossier Won’t Open Park Pools This Summer Citing High Costs and Staffing Challenges

Bad news for youngsters in Bossier City today. Leaders have decided not to open up the city pools at all this summer.

City Council Chairman Chris Smith has confirmed the administration made the decision because of high maintenance costs, rising liability insurance, and struggles in staffing the pools. Smith says “the decision was not made lightly.” He also points to higher costs for chemicals and maintaining the older pools. He also says finding enough lifeguards willing to work is another part of this struggle.

READ MORE: Shreveport pools will have a new look this summer

High Costs and Declining Attendance

City officials say the financial burden has grown considerably over the past few years. It costs Bossier City about $200,000 a year to maintain the pools. They have tried bumping up the admission fees to help pay for the expenses, but attendance has declined in recent years, so that plan did not work.

Smith says “when you put all of that together, the cost to operate the pools has reached a point where it’s simply not sustainable.”

READ MORE: Find out more about lifeguard training in Shreveport

Bossier Families Worry About Activities for Children

This decision is likely to impact several families across the city and many are wondering where Bossier children can go for low cost swim lessons if the city will no longer have any public pools.

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Plans for Future Splash Parks

Bossier does still plan to have public water features, but they won't be open this summer. The city has applied for state funding to convert the pool sites into modern splash parks. If the funding is approved, the splash parks should be open in the summer of 2027. Smith says “this isn’t about taking something away without a plan. This is the best solution to still have something for children to do.”