Mike Wood Pool Set for Summer 2026 with New Management Plan

Good news for Bossier residents who love the water. Bossier City leaders are moving forward with a plan to keep the Mike Wood Pool open for the 2026 summer season through a new partnership with Rock Solid Athletic Club, Inc..

Mayor Tommy Chandler and Chief Administrative Officer Shane Cheatham held a meeting with the leadership team from Rock Solid to put together a plan for to develop an operational model that improves safety, strengthens staffing, and ensures long-term sustainability for the pool.

This proposed deal is expected to go before the City Council during a special meeting on Tuesday, May 5, where the proposed partnership will be introduced. It will have to lay over for a week before a final vote on Tuesday, May 12.

Under this proposed one year deal, Rock Solid would manage daily operations of the pool including staffing, lifeguard training, and facility oversight.

READ MORE: Why Bossier Considered Closing the Pool

Mayor Tommy Chandler says “this is about listening to our community and responding with a better plan. We know how important this pool is, and this partnership allows us to keep it open in a safer and more sustainable way.”

The plan includes several key improvements:

• Professional management of staffing and operations
• Enhanced safety measures and reduced liability
• Affordable, standardized admission pricing
• Expanded swim programming focused on water safety

A major component of the initiative will be a new community swim program aimed at providing lessons to hundreds of residents this summer.

CAO Shane Cheatham says “this approach allows us to improve operations while reducing risk to the City. It’s about doing this the right way and creating more opportunity for our residents.”

Council President Chris Smith says “we appreciate the work that has gone into bringing
forward a solution that addresses both the community’s concerns and the long-term sustainability of the pool."

Rock Solid also has a deal to run the pools in Shreveport and has done so for several years.

The Mike Wood Pool is expected to open in early June, pending approval.