For nearly 40 years, the Marion Pool at Willowood Park has been the place where our community has learned to swim, stayed active and made lifelong memories. But the pool has now surpassed its service life; costly repairs are becoming an annual reality, and the next major equipment failure will likely force a permanent closure.

That’s why the City of Marion is developing a long-range plan for a new, family-friendly outdoor aquatic center—one designed to meet the needs of today’s residents and attract visitors from neighboring communities.

Before we move any further, we need to understand what level of investment, if any Marion taxpayers are willing to support.

All images are conceptual

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 early July. Residents had until July 28, 2025 to respond.

The results were compiled by the research firm and shared with City Council on Aug. 19.

View a report of the results.

City Council Action

During their Sept. 4, 2025 meeting, 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. City staff and Council members emphasized that the pause should not be misinterpreted as a full stop for the project. Staff will be working with the resident-appointed steering committee to discuss next steps and an updated timeline associated with replacing the aging Marion Pool at Willowood Park.

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• Outdated mechanical and filtration systems that are difficult to maintain and service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• Outdated entryway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. As a result, the pool will likely close permanently the next time there is a major equipment failure.

Proposed Aquatics Park

Based on the last four years of community input, the City created a plan for an aquatics park. The base project would include the following amenities:

• Recreation pool
• Lazy river
• Water slides
• Lap pool
• Dive pool
• Wave pool *
• Parking
• Street network
• Seating and shade
• Bathrooms and changing space
• Universal/family restrooms
• Concession stand
• Swimsuit dryer

* Residents were asked to consider two options for the base project - one with the wave pool and one without.

The study indicated the best location for an aquatic facility would be on land bordered by 31st Street, 35th Street, and Munier Road (north of Highway 100). The City has an agreement to purchase this land.

Base Project

• Recreation Pool – ideal for younger swimmers and their adults, with zero-depth entry, in-water bench and shade, toddler slide, family slide, basketball, and volleyball
• Lazy River – inner tubes and waves make this a truly leisurely river, with a zero-depth entry, rockscape to create a sense of being in nature
• Lap Pool – 8, 25-yard lanes that can hold swim team practice and competition, lap swimming, fitness, and other activities, with ADA access
• Dive Pool – this deep-water pool holds a 1-meter diving board, 3-meter platform, and rockscape to create the sensation of jumping off a cliff
• Wave Pool * – the waves are the signature feature of this pool, allowing for all guests to find a space to enjoy the beach-like movements of the water and starting at a zero-depth entry
• Parking and street infrastructure - included as part of the base project because the street network and underground infrastructure wouldn’t be installed otherwise

* Residents were asked to consider two options for the base project - one with the wave pool and one without.

Additional Features

• 12 Pickleball Courts - build 12 dedicated pickleball courts with shade, seating, nearby restrooms and a drinking fountain.
  
• Playground Area - build a playground designed for children ages 2-12 with a rubberized surface.
  
• Park Pavilion - build an open-air pavilion with tables and grills.
  
• Sports Mini-Fields - build two min-fields designed for soccer and basketball.
  
• Ninja Course - build an "American Ninja Warrior"-style obstacle course over the lap pool with interchangeable parts.
  
• Mat Racer Slide - build two "racing" slides a where riders race on mats, typically in a side-by-side configuration.

Timeline

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.