Work on Lenexa’s $10 million project to renovate an aging pool is on course for it to open in the spring.
The foundation for Ad Astra Park, including the pool shell and walls, as well as underground piping is complete, while major structures like the pool equipment building, bath house and lifeguard and concession building are underway, said Logan Wagler, Lenexa’s parks and recreation director.
“A lot has been going in over the past couple of weeks and then, a lot of the site work. (like) the utilities are all done … We just feel really good about where we’re at from a construction timeline standpoint,” he said.
The project, which is expected to open in late May, during Memorial Day weekend, is the second major pool reconstruction project for the city in two years. In 2024, it completed work and re-opened the new Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center, formerly Indian Trails Aquatic Center.
Lenexa-based Clay-Pro Construction is the contractor on the project.
The project has been in the works for years
Opened in 1988, Ad Astra Pool was previously plagued with problems, from its foundation to its decks and bath house.
“We were having a ton of structural failures dealing with the pool, with the building and the site, and it was kind of a watershed moment of like, ‘What are we going to do here? Are we going to go away from a pool and do something different?'” Wagler said.
In 2021, consultants for Lenexa’s outdoor aquatics study recommended the city upgrade Indian Trails Aquatic Center, now known as Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center and close Ad Astra Pool for good. Instead, after resounding cries from the public to keep their beloved neighborhood pool, city leaders voted to keep Ad Astra Pool and restore it as well as the pool at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
In 2024, the city conducted a number of community engagement events and surveys to narrow down what residents wanted from a new Ad Astra Pool. It eventually whittled the feedback down to four concepts and announced a final plan in February 2025.
Construction has been ongoing since summer 2025
Ad Astra Pool was closed for all of summer 2025, with construction beginning in June 2025.
All of the concrete pours for the pool have been completed. The next steps are completing the structures and pool decks, Wagler said.
The completed pool and nearby park will include:
- New park restrooms, trail connections and a shelter replacement
- A zero-depth entry area with shade over the water
- 25-yard lap lanes for recreation lap swimming
- Deep-water area for diving
- 180-foot current channel
- Variety of shade structures throughout the deck and grass areas
- Bathhouse and concession building featuring a mass timber roof and solar renewable energy that will offset energy usage.
With all of the new amenities to Ad Astra Park, it will be more of a “low-key” experience, Wagler said.
“Sar-Ko-Par is lots of water spray, lots of noise, lots of movement, a very active pool. This is going to be a little less (active). So, hopefully it offers a little bit more relaxation, a little more family-friendly environment,” he said.
The city is looking to hire lifeguards, staff
In addition to the park and pool’s construction, the city is also looking to hire lifeguards and staff.
“There’s obviously a tremendous amount of work that has to happen with hiring a bunch of new staff … We have to hire a bunch of lifeguards, go through a lot of training. We have to get our concession operation ready,” he said.
In addition, the city will soon be announcing the artists that will provide a new sculpture and public art for the park.
“Just to onboard a project like this and open it on time and (have it) ready to go for a very, very busy aquatic season is a heavy lift for (city) staff, but we’re working really hard to keep that on track,” Wagler said.
Go deeper: Lenexa moves ahead with plans for new pool at Ad Astra Park
