R.C. Icabone Pool Replacement

The R.C. Icabone pool closed in 2023 after providing decades of outdoor summer fun .

When the pool opened in 1966 it was expected to last 25 to 30 years. With year after year of dedicated work and maintenance, it operated for 56 years. Pool audits conducted by the Recreation District in 2018 and 2023 showed that the pool was at the end of its lifespan. Although Recreation District staff tried to open the pool in 2023, its multiple structural and mechanical issues could no longer be overcome, and the Recreation District Board made the difficult decision to close the facility.

In 2024, through a citizen led effort, the Recreation District and the City of Cañon City engaged in a feasibility study to replace the R.C. Icabone pool. The study was conducted by Councilman-Hunsaker (pool experts), OLC (an architecture firm) and Ballard*King (market analyzers) who worked with a pool committee whose members represented a broad spectrum of the community. Committee members included representatives from the Recreation District, the City of Cañon City, the Cañon City School District, Citizens for a Pool, the Golden Age Center and a former County Commissioner. The study process involved numerous stakeholder and public meetings, surveys, and a dedicated website (see here).

Through this effort and the collaboration of the following local government entities - the Recreation District, the City of Cañon City and the Cañon City School District, a year-round pool facility concept was developed for the site of the original Icabone Pool. The Colorado Sun recently published an article about the efforts to bring a pool back to our community, you can read the story here. The Cañon City Daily Record also published a story about the public meeting held on September 25th, you can read the story here.

On the November ballot, the Recreation District and the City are asking the voters to consider three questions to construct a replacement for the Icabone pool. A concept of what this facility could look like can be seen below. There are also links to additional pages on this website that will answer questions about the concept and location, the feasibility study, the specific ballot questions, pool related questions and answers (also known as FAQ's), numerous videos, a presentation schedule, and survey results. We will continually update this website as more questions are provided to us make sure you have all of the facts to make an informed decision this November.