The Big Pool

The Big Pool. is a Finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs. , The attraction, affectionately called the "Big Pool," is indeed a jaw-dropping mammoth concrete pond. At 320' x 220' it's larger than a football field with a surface area of 72,600 sq. ft. and holds 2.6 million gallons of water. It is so big that even a modest western Kansas wind drives miniature waves across the water's surface., History , The real value of the Big Pool is as an historic Garden City landmark, tied to the community's heritage and identity. The pool was originally the inspiration of Mayor H. O. Trinkle in 1921. Amidst concern over the cost of construction, the pool became a hometown project. Every citizen was encouraged to pledge labor, materials or money. The Big Pool was dug and concrete poured by the people of Garden City. At is [sic] dedication on July 18, 1922, a band played as hundreds of people hit the water in unison to inaugurate Garden City's first summer swim season., Time for a Change , By the late 1990s the Big Pool was badly in need of a facelift. After gathering input from a community pool committee, the City Commission retained Water's Edge Aquatic Design to prepare a master plan. Because of the $8 million dollar price tag, the pool project was broken down into smaller phases., The Big Pool , As the first eager swimmers hit the waters of the Big Pool in 2006, they inaugurated the most significant improvements to the Garden City landmark in its 84-year legacy. This mammoth pool, historically known as "The World's Largest Free Outdoor Concrete Municipal Swimming Pool," underwent its third and most visible facelift during the late winter and early spring months of 2006. Five slides were incorporated with a plunge pool and a bulkhead was added that divides the pool into north and south halves., Management , In 2003, management of the Big Pool was turned over to the Garden City Recreation. The Recreation Commission instituted the pool's first user fees. Though nominal, the change was significant in that it voided the Big Pool's traditional claim to fame as the "World's Largest Free Outdoor Concrete Municipal Swimming Pool." Improvements were made, new management was instituted and the attendance actually increased the year the user fees were instituted!, Improvement will Continue , The pool project will not be completed for several more years, but Garden City already has the best of both worlds. The community has a modern pool facility for swimmers of all ages to enjoy and a historic landmark has been preserved., Don't miss the Big Pool Exhibit at the Finney County Historical Museum.