COUNTY News:
Since May 2025, Los Alamos County, in conjunction with contractor Lee-sure Pools, has been preparing for the Olympic Pool Re-plastering Project, and the time has finally come.
The Olympic Pool and Therapy Pool will close Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in preparation for work to begin March 2. The pools will remain closed until construction is completed – anticipated in October 2026.
Starting Monday, Feb. 23, the Aquatic Center main entrance will be relocated to the south patio (near the stairs leading to Canyon Road), where customers can continue to receive services and admission to the Leisure Lagoon, which is projected to remain open throughout the project.
The Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center was built in the late 1980s, and while other maintenance projects have taken place in recent years, the plaster shell of the Olympic Pool is the original surface from when it was built. Plaster pool shells are designed to have a lifespan of 15 – 20 years; the plaster shell of the Olympic Pool is well beyond its life expectancy and is showing its age.
This type of project is not an easy feat. Lee-sure Pools is the only service provider within the Southwest that can complete the work. Currently, the scope of work will include, but is not limited to:
- Removing the old material from the Olympic pool,
- Removing and replacing rebar if exposed in the Olympic pool,
- Re-plastering the Olympic pool,
- Addressing the tow ledge in the Olympic pool,
- Installing anchor cups in the Olympic pool,
- Removing and replacing pool lights in the Olympic pool,
- Removing and replacing the starting blocks in the Olympic pool,
- Removing and replacing pool tile in the Olympic and Therapy pools,
- Removing and replacing handrails in the Olympic and Therapy pools, and
- Installing depth markers and “no diving” tiles for the Olympic and Therapy pools.
The Leisure Lagoon will remain open, with the planned schedule as follows, with the possibility of expanding current Saturday hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Fitness Classes
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. General Public and Swim Lessons
Tuesday and Thursday
- 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. General Public and Swim Lessons
Saturday
- 12–3 p.m. General Public
Additionally, an alternative swim location is still being negotiated to help reduce the impact on the local swimming community during the closure. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.
Direct questions to Katherine Hudspeth at 505.662.8249 or Katherine.Hudspeth@losalamosnm.gov.