Asheville’s only public pool reopens Friday after being closed temporarily
By Jose Sandoval
July 2, 2025 at 5:17 PM EDT
Asheville’s only public pool will reopen Friday after officials announced the pool would be closed temporarily on Wednesday due to safety concerns.
The City of Asheville said today it is reopening the pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, just in time for the Independence Day weekend.
Asheville Parks and Recreation Department (APR) Director D. Tyrell McGirt said the pool will now have enhanced safety measures.
“Our team worked quickly and diligently to implement immediate and long-term solutions to ensure a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the pool during this important holiday weekend and through the end of the swim season", McGirt said.
Safety concerns including an incident with a firearm caused the temporary closing and increased security.
“The recent incidents presented significant safety concerns that we could not ignore,” McGirt said.
Uniformed security staff will at the Southside Community Center Center pool starting July 4 throughout the weekend.
Here’s the pool’s weekend schedule:
What led up to the temporary closure?
The City of Asheville announced Wednesday the closure of the Southside Community pool due to numerous safety concerns at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, including an incident with a firearm.
McGirt said it was a “difficult decision” “considering the pros and cons for the Asheville community.”
“However, the safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our paramount concern,” McGirt said in a press release. “Ensuring a safe environment for everyone is currently impossible until we can enhance security during operating hours.”
On July 1, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to a call regarding a firearm at the Southside Community Center pool. Officers said in a statement that they found a juvenile with a firearm at the pool.
“The firearm was safely secured, and there were no injuries reported in the incident,” APD said in a news release.
APD detectives said they are working with the Department of Juvenile Justice to identify possible charges.
Asheville officials explained in January that the city’s other two public pools would remain closed this summer.
The Recreation Park in East Asheville closed nine months ago due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The almost 100-year-old Malvern Hills Park swimming pool in West Asheville has been closed since summer 2024.
Officials have cancelled all scheduled programs at the pool as APR works on a new security plan.
Asheville officials encourage residents to explore the five Buncombe County Parks and Recreation public pools and the splashpad in Pack Square Park.
The City of Asheville said today it is reopening the pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, just in time for the Independence Day weekend.
Asheville Parks and Recreation Department (APR) Director D. Tyrell McGirt said the pool will now have enhanced safety measures.
“Our team worked quickly and diligently to implement immediate and long-term solutions to ensure a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the pool during this important holiday weekend and through the end of the swim season", McGirt said.
Safety concerns including an incident with a firearm caused the temporary closing and increased security.
“The recent incidents presented significant safety concerns that we could not ignore,” McGirt said.
Uniformed security staff will at the Southside Community Center Center pool starting July 4 throughout the weekend.
Here’s the pool’s weekend schedule:
- July 4: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
- July 5: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m
- July 6: Noon to 6 p.m.
What led up to the temporary closure?
The City of Asheville announced Wednesday the closure of the Southside Community pool due to numerous safety concerns at Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, including an incident with a firearm.
McGirt said it was a “difficult decision” “considering the pros and cons for the Asheville community.”
“However, the safety and well-being of our residents and staff is our paramount concern,” McGirt said in a press release. “Ensuring a safe environment for everyone is currently impossible until we can enhance security during operating hours.”
On July 1, the Asheville Police Department (APD) responded to a call regarding a firearm at the Southside Community Center pool. Officers said in a statement that they found a juvenile with a firearm at the pool.
“The firearm was safely secured, and there were no injuries reported in the incident,” APD said in a news release.
APD detectives said they are working with the Department of Juvenile Justice to identify possible charges.
Asheville officials explained in January that the city’s other two public pools would remain closed this summer.
The Recreation Park in East Asheville closed nine months ago due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The almost 100-year-old Malvern Hills Park swimming pool in West Asheville has been closed since summer 2024.
Officials have cancelled all scheduled programs at the pool as APR works on a new security plan.
Asheville officials encourage residents to explore the five Buncombe County Parks and Recreation public pools and the splashpad in Pack Square Park.