Project Spotlight: City of Blue Rapids Enhances Summer Recreation Opportunities

A newly completed swimming pool project in the City of Blue Rapids is providing residents and visitors with an improved place to cool off, gather, and enjoy summer recreation.

The City of Blue Rapids swimming pool project was completed earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Tom Parker.)

Investing in Community Recreation

The project was made possible, in part, through a special round of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding awarded in 2019. The City of Blue Rapids received $763,411 through the Small Cities CDBG program, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce.

The city also contributed more than $580,000 through general obligation bonds and local fundraising efforts.

The project included:

• Demolition of the existing swimming pool

• Construction of a new accessible, zero-entry swimming pool

The new facility officially opened on May 25, with approximately 200 people attending the opening celebration.

"The best part of the project is that people are really glad to be able to come to a clean pool and a fun environment," said Blue Rapids City Clerk Chrystal Busey.

Meeting a Longstanding Community Need

The original swimming pool was constructed in the early 1950s. Over the years, repairs became increasingly costly, prompting the community to begin fundraising efforts for a replacement well before construction began.

When the Kansas Department of Commerce announced a special round of CDBG funding, Blue Rapids was well positioned to pursue the opportunity.

"Blue Rapids was presented with a unique opportunity when Kansas Department of Commerce announced this special round of funding," said NCRPC Executive Director Emily Benedick. "The community had already been working toward updating its pool and that commitment helped pave the way for a successful application."

Creating a Destination for Residents and Visitors

The completed project has expanded recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors.

The swimming pool is located within Blue Rapids City Park, one of the primary entry points into the community along KS Highway 9/U.S. Highway 77. It is also adjacent to the Marshall County Fairgrounds, baseball fields, and playgrounds, making it a central gathering place during the summer months.

In addition to the pool project, the City of Blue Rapids independently financed construction of a new bathhouse.

Project Partners

Key partners included:

• CES Group of Marysville (engineering)

• Trinium Contractors, Inc. of Manhattan (construction)

The North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) provided project planning assistance, grant writing, and project administration.

Project Spotlight highlights how communities throughout North Central Kansas are addressing local challenges through collaboration, planning, and investment.