BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont residents who have been waiting since the start of summer to take a swim at Magnolia Park on the north side of the city will have to wait a little longer.
The City of Beaumont announced back in May that the Magnolia Pool would not be opening on time due to "unexpected maintenance issues."
The ten splash pads around the city and the pool at Alice Keith Park in the city's south end did open in late May as planned.
Repairs were being made to keep the pool compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act but a wheelchair lift that had been ordered was delayed due to supply chain issues according to a spokesperson with City of Beaumont.
Residents are wondering why these issues are only now being addressed.
"Those issues didn't happen overnight. Those issues have been going on for a while and it's from neglect," said Beaumont resident Terry Preston Roy.
Some city leaders understand the residents complaints.
"That's the question I raised. Why are we at the point we are about to open before you realize there's a danger that has to be addressed. It hasn't been as of yet," said Ward 3 Councilman Audwin Samuel.
Samuel agrees with the decision to leave the pool closed, but admits the city could have planned better amid the Southeast Texas summer heat.
"That's enough for me. We are not going to put our citizens at risk," Samuel said.
The wheelchair lift was ordered and now that it has now been shipped the city hopes to have the pool open by Saturday, July 29, 2023, the spokesperson told 12News on Wednesday.
The pool is located at Magnolia Park next to the Sterling Pruitt Activity Center at 2930 Gulf Ave near the intersection of Gulf Ave and Regent St.
When the pool is open swimming lessons and aquatic aerobics are offered according to the City of Beaumont's website.
"The kids barely have anything to do out there and with this pool not being opened this makes it harder for them to find things to do other than trouble," said Roy.
Once the pool is open for the season its hours are Tuesday - Thursday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Friday - Saturday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. The pool is closed on Mondays.
Mayor Roy West told 12News that because of the age of the pool, at the end of the season they'll further evaluate it's condition and determine if more repairs are needed.
City manager Kenneth Williams says the new wheelchair lift and the resurfacing repairs will cost $9,100.
Call (409) 838-3613 for more information on available lessons and programming.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.