ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville has closed the municipal pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center until further notice because of what officials described as “extreme behavior issues” that have created unsafe conditions for visitors and staff.
In a statement Wednesday, Asheville Parks & Recreation said the decision was made out of concern for public safety. All scheduled programs at the Southside Center pool — including water aerobics and teen pool parties — have been canceled.
The closure comes at a particularly difficult time for local swimmers, as the city’s Recreation Park pool also remains closed because of damage sustained from Tropical Storm Helene.
City officials encouraged residents to consider other public swimming options, including five pools operated by Buncombe County Parks & Recreation and Splasheville, the downtown splash pad in Pack Square Park.
Asheville Parks & Recreation said it is working to identify solutions that would allow the pool at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center to reopen safely and will share updates as they become available.