By Stephanie Yrungaray | [email protected]

With temperatures finally heating up after an unusually cool spring, swimmers hoping to lounge at the Draper pool are instead finding caution tape and construction equipment. 

The pool, operated by Salt Lake County, is closed for the summer season while a new recreation center is being built next door. 

“From the beginning of the Draper Recreation Center project we knew this (closure) would happen,” said Clayton Scrivner, community and public relations manager for Salt Lake County. “The outdoor pool will be integrated because it is being constructed as one campus.”

Last summer people went through the turnstiles at the Draper pool 32,000 times. Nearby residents said they are missing what has become part of their family’s summer tradition. 

Eight-year-old Torri Rupp, who lives within biking distance of the pool, said she had big plans for swimming this summer. 

“I’m sad it’s closed because I always wanted to try jumping off of the diving board and this summer I was going to do it,” Torri said. 

Torri’s mom, Monett, said they’ve done a lot more sitting around this summer without the close and convenient access the Draper pool provided. 

“Last year we were there at least twice a week,” Rupp said. “What I loved was being able to come home after work and head to the pool together. It was so convenient.”  

Since 2006, the Larson Cup family triathlon has been held every other year at the Draper pool and surrounding neighborhood. Luckily, this year’s race was already scheduled to be held in Logan; otherwise, the family would have no venue for one-third of their race. 

“It is so convenient to have it at the Draper pool,” said Misty Larson. “We’ve had it set up so we swim, then loop around the neighborhood for the biking and running portions.” 

The 40 Larson Cup participants will be competing for a coveted award belt this year in Logan, but are hopeful that next summer they will be back to Draper pool. 

The Draper outdoor pool is one of 19 run by Salt Lake County. Ten of the pools are outdoor facilities. 

The next closest outdoor pool for Draper residents is Alta Canyon Sports Complex run by Sandy City, however Getta Velmentines, Office Coordinator at Alta Canyon said they have not seen an increase of swimming pool attendees with the Draper pool closing. 

“Our admissions and memberships so far this summer are down, but I feel like that has more to do with the weather,” said Velmentines. “I think it’s because we had such a cool and rainy spring.” 

The Draper pool is scheduled to re-open in Spring 2020. In the meantime, Scrivner said he hopes residents will recognize that the temporary inconvenience will be worth it. 

“The [recreation center]  is really going to enhance and expand the aquatics prouct in Draper with both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.” said Scrivner. “Even though [the outdoor pool] is closed for the summer, the future is very bright for aquatics in Draper.”