The old Hyde Park pool house is now a memory, with demolition wrapped up this week and the site cleared for a brand-new aquatic facility that city leaders say should be making waves by May 2027. The $4.32 million project will replace the aging complex with a rebuilt pool and a remodeled pool house that includes restrooms, concessions and a year-round rental room, along with family-focused water features.
According to KQ2, the new pool is set to feature a zero-depth entry, wading area, sun shelf with in-water seating and an in-water play structure, plus picnic areas and shaded seating aimed at keeping families comfortable during long summer days. The station reports the work is funded through the city’s Capital Improvements Program and the parks sales tax. According to the City of Evansville (.gov), a $2.7-million pool renovation there included a zero-depth entry and interactive play structure, providing a recent municipal comparison for scale and features.
Council sign-off and contractor
City council records show the council approved a lump-sum construction contract with Royal Construction Services LLC for $4,320,000 under Bill #56-26, according to the City of St. Joseph agenda. The vote and ordinance locked in the project budget and contractor, clearing the way for construction crews to get to work.
Funding and schedule
City materials note the project is backed by the Capital Improvements Program and the parks sales tax, with officials estimating a May 2027 completion date for the new pool, as outlined in the City of St. Joseph agenda. The budget is expected to cover the pool itself, the remodeled pool house and related site work and utility connections that must be wrapped up before crews hit major summer construction milestones. The Kansas City Parks & Recreation Aquatics Masterplan lists zero-depth entry features and associated cost ranges (for example, 'Immediate: $400 - $500' and 'Total: $27,300 - $41, ...'), illustrating common feature specifications and budget line items for municipal aquatic projects.
What residents can expect next
With the demolition dust settled, the next steps include grading and foundation work over the coming weeks, followed by steady progress above ground as the project moves into full construction. The city says residents can look for regular project updates as the site transforms.
Once finished, the upgraded facility is intended to serve families across the south side, host swim lessons and support community events. The plan calls for more shaded picnic spots and additional rental options, all folded into the city’s broader push to improve park amenities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for St. Joseph, Missouri, authoritative city-level demographic data is available to contextualize the neighborhood served by the Hyde Park pool. City of St. Joseph documents show Buchanan, MO's population listed as 83,038 in its 'Appendix C – Demographics and Trends', which can help contextualize regional population levels around the Hyde Park project.
