5 things to know about the Eagle Pool replacement project this summer

This article originally appeared in Vail Daily on May 22.

The town of Eagle and Mountain Recreation recently hosted residents on Thursday, May 9, for its groundbreaking ceremony of the Eagle Pool. Construction began on May 10.

As construction efforts ramp up in late May, the town and Mountain Rec issued the following reminders about the project.

Facility access

Except for Mountain Rec’s Rec Kids Day Camps and other scheduled programs, the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink facility will be closed this summer. The facility will reopen to the public in mid-September 2024 for the 2024-25 ice rink season.

The Eagle County BMX Park and Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance bike park will be open during construction and experience minimal impacts. A construction staging area will be set up between the VVMTA Bike Park and the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink while continuing to provide access to trails.

Parking and traffic flow

Parking will be limited at the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink’s paved parking lots. The entire lower parking lot and half of the upper lot will be closed this summer. Parking will only be accessible on the east half of the upper lot. Visitors are asked to follow signage and be mindful of workers in the area.

A construction office and restroom trailer will be placed on the west end of the upper paved lot for the duration of the project. Construction crews will utilize the lower paved lot to escort equipment in and out of the construction site, primarily in the mornings and evenings.

Parking and trail access from the dirt parking lot adjacent to the BMX track will remain open during construction. Portions of this lot will be used to escort equipment in and out of the construction site primarily in the mornings and evenings. Visitors are asked to follow signage and be mindful of workers in the area.

Rec Kids Day Camps

Rec Kids Day Camps will be available at the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink from June 3 to Aug. 2. Camp will be housed in the sport court arena and will continue to include games, fitness activities, crafts, outside water play activities, and access to nearby playgrounds. Pick-up and drop procedures will remain the same and will experience minimal impacts. Staff will receive weekly construction updates, and should construction impact the camp, staff will make plans to accommodate camp participants at the Gypsum Rec Center or Edwards Field House (parent pick up and drop off required).

Events and races

BMX and mountain bike race participants are reminded to plan ahead as parking may be impacted due to the limited parking access of the paved parking lots. The town and Mountain Rec are working with event organizers to ensure a full summer of events with minimal impacts.

Project timeline

Residents can readily access the timeline for the Eagle Pool construction project at MountainRec.org/Eagle-Pool. The website features the timeline of work so far, final design concepts, a list of FAQs, and a place for residents to submit feedback. The anticipated completion date is set for Memorial Day weekend 2025.

May 10 marks the beginning of the rebuild project with a total investment of $13 million split between the town and Mountain Rec. The redesigned facility will be significantly enhanced, nearly doubling the water surface area. It will feature a leisure pool and a dedicated six-lane 25-yard lap pool. New family changing rooms will also be added to the facility during the construction.