Updated Thursday, June 18:
The opening of Lenexa’s Ad Astra Pool has been delayed until a future, undetermined date.
On Monday, the city announced that due to weather-related delays, the pool will miss its rescheduled opening in mid-June.
“Construction of the Ad Astra Pool project continues to move forward, but persistent rainfall has delayed several critical activities needed before opening,” Logan Wagler, Lenexa’s parks and recreation director, said in an email to the Johnson County Post.
The city is looking into a new opening date.
“We are not yet ready to announce an opening date. In the meantime, swim lessons and all other aquatic programs and rentals have been successfully accommodated at the City’s other pool facilities,” Wagler said.
While the pool was originally scheduled to open in May, Wagler said he understands the public’s disappointment with the delays.
“While these delays are disappointing, we are working closely with the contractor to open the facility as soon as possible while maintaining the quality and safety standards expected for this long-term community investment,” he said.
The original story published Wednesday, May 27, continues below:
The opening of Lenexa’s Ad Astra Pool is delayed until mid-June.
On Memorial Day this past Monday — the traditional opening of civic pools around Johnson County — the city announced that final work on the project is still underway.
Officials had originally hoped to unveil the new-look Ad Astra Pool on Memorial Day weekend.
“We appreciate the community’s patience and excitement as we continue work on the new Ad Astra Pool. We plan to open in mid-June. Final work continues to ensure the facility is safe and ready for users,” Lenexa city spokesperson Denise Rendina said in an email to the Johnson County Post.
While the pool is closed, the city will work to accommodate scheduled programs and rentals at other outdoor pool locations in the city, Rendina said.
A series of heavy storms throughout the spring caused major parts of the $10 million renovation project to be delayed.
“There’s kind of a cascading effect. When one thing doesn’t get done, it can kind of affect something else down the line, and the way that this spring has been, it’s just been a really tricky, tricky situation,” said Logan Wagler, Lenexa’s parks and recreation director, to the Johnson County Post.
On Monday, the City of Lenexa and Clay-Pro Construction, the contractors for the project, planned to lay asphalt for its parking lot. Due to overnight rain, that will be postponed, Wagler said.
“That’s a big one, getting the parking lot done and all cleaned up. And after that is complete, we’ll have final grading, landscaping, seating, sodding, those kind of activities,” he said.
When construction on the pool began in June 2025, the city hoped to open it on Memorial Day, similar to the opening of Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center in 2024.
The city is disappointed that it missed the mark.
“For us it’s disappointing, and I know our community’s going to be disappointed. But the nice thing here is we do have two other outdoor pools,” Wagler said.
The city did not specify a new opening day, but expects it to be delayed for at least a week, Wagler said.
The pool has been closed since 2024
After its season ended in 2024, the pool closed for construction.
The new pool will feature a variety of new amenities, including:
- 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
The new amenities are meant to give the pool more of a “low-key” experience compared to Sar-Ko-Par, Wagler said in a previous interview.
“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.
While the cement for areas like the parking lot still needs to be poured, Wagler said most of the pool’s construction is complete.
“As far as the pool goes, it’s in pretty good shape. The painting got finished up last week. We should be able to start filling the pool this week, balancing chemicals, all those kind of things,” he said.
What’s next
In addition to cement being poured, the city also has to get several other tasks done, including inspections, setting up chairs and the concession stand, and training the staff, Wagler said.
The delays should not affect any public pool activities, Wagler said.
“We’ve got contingency plans for any programming or other needs to continue, We won’t be delaying swim lessons or any major programs. It’s really just the opportunity for people to get in and see this new facility (that’s affected by the delay),” he said.
While construction on Ad Astra Pool is ongoing, Wagler said he hopes people can move their Memorial Day pool plans to Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center and Flat Rock Creek Pool.
“From a staff perspective, it’s disappointing, but there are only certain things that you can control, and weather is not one of those,” Wagler said.
Go deeper: Under renovation this winter, Ad Astra Pool and Park in Lenexa on course to open in the spring
