Wednesday, JANUARY 7, 2026 |
Photo – Saratoga Municipal Swimming Pool – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Town of Saratoga agreed to spend $25,000 on new equipment for the municipal swimming pool.
During the warmer months, Saratoga’s outdoor public pool, located adjacent to the Hobo Hot Springs, is popular among families, residents, and morning exercise groups. However, last August, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that water‑aerobics participants were reporting the pool was uncomfortably cold during their morning classes. Mayor Davis said the town would buy a cover before next summer.
At the December 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Recreation Director Carter Edwards asked the governing body to approve the purchase of a $23,096.84 insulated pool cover. Edwards said the retractable cover will make morning water‑aerobics classes warmer and put less strain on the hot springs, which are used to regulate the pool temperature.
The Hobo Hot Springs consist of three soaking areas with increasing heat: a small warm pool, a larger hot pool, and the hottest “lobster pot.” The town uses thermally heated spring water to fill its municipal swimming pool. As the water cycles back into the system, it flows into the not‑so‑hot pool, occasionally raising its temperature above the main pool.
Speaking at the December 17th meeting, Mayor Davis said he was worried that pulling so much water from the hot pools could damage the underground springs. Public Works Director Emery Penner agreed that the town is putting additional stress on the hot pools.
Penner said the insulated cover won’t eliminate the need to draw hot water from the springs, but it remains the town’s best option for retaining heat. When Mayor Davis asked how much warmth it could add, Penner said the cover will help maintain daytime temperatures overnight.
RecSupply of Bismarck, North Dakota, quoted $23,096.84 for the insulated retractable cover and three stainless‑steel roller reels. At $14,252, Penner said the reels are pricey but worth the money.
Rec Director Edwards said the cover will be deployed each night and reeled back in every morning. The reels can then be stored out of the way until the covers are needed again.
Councilman Bub Barkhurst said the cover should address the most frequent complaint from morning water‑aerobics participants, namely the temperature.
Penner said the cover won’t entirely fix the problem, but it’s the town’s best option for maintaining the pool’s temperature without spending over $80,000 on an auxiliary water heater.
Penner said he didn’t want the council to assume the cover will be 100 percent effective, but it is the most cost‑effective way to maintain the pool’s overnight temperature.
The governing body unanimously approved the purchase. Mayor Davis said the town can afford the cover, although a budget amendment will be needed since the annual pool‑improvement funds have already been spent.
Recreation Director Carter Edwards also requested approval to buy a $1,999 Dolphin Wave 80 commercial robotic pool cleaner, adding that the town’s current pool vacuum is no longer operational.
Mayor Davis asked Edwards if he had enough money in the pool‑improvement budget to cover the purchase. Edwards said he did not, noting that another budget amendment would be necessary. Treasurer Corina Daley said the cost can be split between a Wyoming Community Gas grant and the capital‑improvement budget.
Edwards added that the specific model has a good reputation. Mayor Davis said the town needs a vacuum to maintain the pool. Councilman Mike Cooley agreed and moved to authorize the $1,999 purchase. The motion was approved.
