Aquatic center reopens for Memorial Day Weekend
After a nearly $8 million price tag for renovations that took a year, the Doris Roznovak Aquatic Center has reopened and is ready for young and old alike to dive right in.
The city held a ribbon cutting Saturday morning at the revitalized pool in Murphy Park, 1600 Veterans Drive.
The spot features a water slide, a lazy river, a kiddie wading area and four swimming lanes.
G. Creek Construction handled the renovations.
“It’s going to be a great amenity for the community and the surrounding
Photo by Jason Chiapek communities like Granger, Thrall, Elgin and Manor,” Mayor Jim Buzan said. “I think more people will look at this opportunity.”
Reminiscing at the ceremony, Buzan remembered having what he considered “the best summer job in the world” as a teenager — working as a lifeguard at the site of the former Taylor city pool now home to the newly commissioned aquatic center.
“My most fond memory of the (previous) pool was working for the city and being on the crew that got to take care of the pool,” Buzan said. “It was great to be able to go to work in swim trunks and sandals.”
Deficiencies in the pool were noticed in May 2022, which prompted discussions among city officials to remodel the site. The pool closed last summer.
The work came with a price tag of $7.88 million. It was approved during the Feb. 22, 2024, City Council meeting.
Tyler Bybee, Taylor’s assistant city manager, was the director of parks and recreation when approval and planning for the pool took place.
“There was a lot of talk and a lot of long meetings about this pool,” Bybee said. “When you have a project like this, it takes a lot to get it done.”
Place 3 Councilman Kelly Cmerek said his first meeting on the council in 2024 included a vote to approve the center’s renovations.
“It’s a tremendous asset for the community and families,” Cmerek said. “When I think about this pool, I think about what a great asset it is for children and families. We built it right and it will last longer than the previous pool. This is a great investment.”
Former Councilman Mitchell Drummond said the community will find the pool a welcome refuge.
“It’s about time. It’s been a long time,” Drummond said. “We missed it last year, but the pool is important to the community.”
Buzan said there are plenty of thanks to go around.
“The goal is to keep everything moving uphill and that’s our job as the city,” he said. “I’d like to thank Parks and Rec, including those individuals who made (Saturday) such a special event, and the residents of Taylor for their commitment to put their money into this investment.”
The facility in 2022 was named in honor of Roznovak, who for 39 years managed the city pool in Murphy Park, officials previously said.
The Aquatic Center is closed on Monday and open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-8 p.m. Sunday.
Admission prices include $2 for children 3 years old and younger, $3 for children between the ages of 4-12, $4 for 13-year-olds through adults, and $3 for adults 60 and older.
Pool passes cost $75.
