Exploring the Future of Aquatics for Marion

For nearly 40 years, the Marion Pool at Willowood Park has been a community gathering place where residents learn to swim, stay active and create memories. After decades of service, the pool is coming to the end of its useful life, and costly repairs have become an annual challenge.

Last summer (2025), community members were surveyed to understand the level of investment, if any, Marion taxpayers were willing to support related to the construction of a new outdoor aquatic facility. Based on the findings showing less than 60% support for the possible bond referendum to fund the project, a compressed timeline and overall project cost, Marion City Council opted not to pursue a referendum last fall.

Still, the City of Marion is continuing to develop a long-range plan for a new, family-friendly outdoor aquatic center in partnership with a resident-appointed steering committee.

Currently, staff and project consultants are evaluating the future of public aquatics through three active project tracks:

1. Assessing the capabilities and lifespan of the existing pool at Willowood Park
2. Determining private sector interest in an outdoor aquatics park
3. Refining the scope and scale of the previous outdoor aquatics park proposal

The Aquatic Center Steering Committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at Marion City Hall. In addition, monthly project updates are provided to the Marion City Council during regularly scheduled meetings.

The Marion Pool opened in 1987 with a lap pool, shallow wading pool, and shallow training pool. The City added a splash pad in 2001.

An outside consultant evaluated the pool facilities in 2021 and found issues including:

• Concrete failure inside the pools and in walking areas
• Broken pipes
• Outdated mechanical and filtration systems that are difficult to maintain and service
• Skylight panels in the locker rooms that break
• Outdated entryway
• Worn lighting and finishes

These issues are making it more expensive to operate the pool. In recent years, the pool’s revenue has only covered half of its expenses, with Marion taxpayers covering the difference. As our facility ages and neighboring communities invest in new aquatic centers, the use of the Marion pool has declined.

Expanding or replacing the pool at the current location is not possible due to its proximity to homes in the Willowood neighborhood and parking limitations.

For all of these reasons, the City does not believe continuing to invest in the Marion Pool at Willowood Park is a good use of taxpayer dollars.

Survey Results

The City partnered with Community Perceptions, an independent research firm, to gather confidential feedback and help the City Council determine whether or not to pursue a referendum in November. Surveys were mailed to every household in Marion in July 2025. The results were compiled by the research firm and shared with City Council on Aug. 19. View a report of the results.

Timeline

2026
City staff, consultants and a resident-appointed steering committee continue to work together to develop a long-range plan for a new, family-friendly outdoor aquatic center in Marion.

2025
Marion City Council voted 6-1 to hold off on putting the proposed outdoor aquatics park on the November ballot. Council members cited the overall project cost, a compressed timeline and recent survey findings showing less than 60% support for the possible bond referendum to fund the project as reasons for the decision.  

2025                   
Waters Edge and Miron Construction are retained to further refine the plan and develop construction documents ahead of a possible referendum vote in November.

2025                   
The City solicits neighborhood input to help shape the redevelopment plans for Willowood Park.

2024                   
A 20-acre parcel of land was recommended to include the proposed aquatic center, parking lot and other recreational amenities. The City enters into a purchase agreement to acquire land located between 31st and 35th Streets and Munier Road, near Highway 100. When considering potential locations, the consultant and steering committee evaluated the ease of pedestrian and vehicular access, the number of households within walking distance, placement of existing aquatic facilities like the YMCA, Linn-Mar Aquatic Center and splash pads, and more.

2021-2024      
Multiple city open houses and surveys identify features that community members consider most important.

2021   
The City commissions an Outdoor Aquatic Center Feasibility Study by Waters Edge. The study gathered community feedback, reviewed the current facility to see if it could be a viable option and reviewed other potential sites. The consultant provided a recommendation on the site and provides a conceptual aquatic center for the City that includes cost estimates and a business plan. [FINAL REPORT]

2017   
An aquatics park is identified as one of four priorities in the ImagiNEXT community visioning process. A pool with cool waterpark features is the number one idea offered by residents. Marion’s national ranking as a top 10 place for families should be supported by outstanding public amenities that meet or exceed expectations for recreation, education, fitness and fun! The “Just Keep Swimming” initiative suggests:

• Unique slides
• Zero entry edge
• Infant/toddler section
• Fountains & waterfalls
• Diving boards of various heights
• Wave pool
• Splash pad area
• Engaging features for all ages, including programming

2016   
Through the Master Park Plan in 2016, the need was identified for an updated outdoor aquatic center to fit the needs of a growing population to attract visitors.

2001   
A spray park was added to the Marion Swimming Pool at Willowood Park

1987   
Marion Swimming Pool at Willowood Park opens. It features a 50-meter lap pool, a 25-meter, cross-direction lap lane area, a diving area, a shallow training pool and a baby pool. Support facilities include a bathhouse and a filter building.