Frequently Asked Questions

Cooperstown Community Pool

When will this begin? 

The pool project has been in development since 2023. Over the past three years, the Cooperstown Park Board has worked with community stakeholders, evaluated community needs, explored multiple design options, and identified a proven pool model that fits both our goals and budget.

Cooper Days 2026 marks the official launch of the fundraising campaign. As funding milestones are reached, the project will continue to move through planning and development.

Where will the pool be?

The proposed pool will be located at the Cooperstown baseball park.

Several locations were evaluated during the planning process, including City Park. However, City Park was determined to be less suitable due to utility and building code considerations related to existing electrical infrastructure, which limits the area available for construction. In addition, parking capacity at City Park is more limited.

The baseball park site offers several advantages. It provides ample space for the pool, parking, and future amenities while increasing visibility to residents and visitors entering the community. Its proximity to the fairgrounds also creates opportunities for partnerships  and future collaboration between community organizations.

The Park Board believes the baseball park location provides the best long-term opportunity to develop a successful aquatic facility that is accessible, visible, and positioned for future growth. 

The exact location has not yet been determined. As we evaluate the site, we’re considering several important factors, including the results of the geotechnical survey, proximity to existing sewer infrastructure, and whether a lift station will be required. Those factors all affect both the feasibility and cost of the project.

Our goal is to choose the location that provides the best balance of construction feasibility, infrastructure costs, and long-term functionality for both the pool and the baseball fields.

Why did the park board sell the pool to the school?

The school began a facility assessment in the spring of 2022, and that assessment highlighted the need for more classroom spaces and a safer drop off and pick up area. In order to have the space to accomplish these goals, the school approached the Park Board in the spring of 2023 about selling the pool property.

The Park Board voted to sell the pool property to the school. Here are points discussed in the vote:

Many costly repairs were needed to keep the pool viable long term. The pool has served the community well. It has been kept up and maintained for nearly 50 years, and that maintenance has involved many people’s service. The Park Board is thankful for all the hours and time put into the previous pool.

The pool attendance, and therefore income, has been lower in recent years with repair costs and lifeguard costs growing. A new solution is what’s needed to create a community asset and attraction that has fewer repair costs.

Why was the previous pool demolished before a new pool was built?

By selling the pool to the school, the Park Board could take all current and future funds and put them toward a new pool. The school assumed all demolition costs and set all demolition timelines. Though it is not ideal to be without a pool currently, it is cost effective to focus all funds toward a new pool.

Can we afford a new pool?

The original pool concepts and cost estimates presented to the Park Board were not financially feasible for our community.

Since then, the Park Board has identified a proven approach by working with communities similar in size to Cooperstown that have successfully constructed new aquatic facilities. The proposed design is based on projects already completed in communities such as LaMoure, Gwinner, and Walhalla, allowing us to build from their experiences and successes.

By utilizing a proven design, pursuing grants and fundraising opportunities, and carefully planning for long-term operating costs, the Park Board believes this project is both achievable and financially responsible.

For many years, our community supported an aging pool that required increasing repairs and maintenance just to keep it operating.  A new pool is designed to be far more efficient, with modern equipment and systems that reduce maintenance needs and operating costs compared to an aging facility.

We also recognize that building the pool is the starting line—not the finish line. We are committed to ensuring the pool is fiscally sustainable for years to come. That means carefully planning for long-term operations, budgeting for future maintenance, and continually evaluating how we can operate the facility efficiently.

Our commitment isn’t just to build a new pool—it’s to be responsible stewards of it so it remains a valuable community asset for generations to come.

What about the new pool equipment purchased in 2020?

The previous equipment used sand filtration. The new pool would use cartridges. The pump could be inspected to determine if it could be used, saved for parts, or sold. 

Why aren't we building an indoor pool?

An indoor pool is not financially sustainable for a community our size.

While an outdoor pool in North Dakota typically operates for 60–90 days each year with annual operating expenses ranging from approximately $85,000 to $220,000, an indoor aquatic facility requires year-round staffing, maintenance, and utility costs that often total $300,000 to $625,000 annually. The largest expense is heating, dehumidifying, and treating the air inside the building.

Although admission fees, concessions, and other amenities can help offset day-to-day operating expenses, aquatic facilities generally do not generate enough revenue to pay for construction debt or major capital costs. This is especially true for indoor facilities with significantly higher operating expenses.

Our goal is to build a pool that our community can afford to operate for decades—not just build. By focusing on an outdoor aquatic facility, we're investing in an amenity that provides the greatest community benefit while remaining financially responsible and sustainable for future generations.