Opening of new O’Fallon swimming pool delayed; historic Cavins Center comes down

With several contractors describing the winter weather challenges of recent months as “the worst of their careers,” O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Dallner has reported that the new pool will not open in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

While the ongoing work on the nearly $20 million Community Park upgrades is currently on budget, the construction delays have likely pushed back the pool opening until June 18, he said. Dallner informed the city council’s parks and environment committee March 10.

“We are behind schedule. Contractors called this the worst winter they have seen in their careers. We lost quite a number of days,” he said.

“The contractors have gone above and beyond, but it’s been the perfect storm. We’re hopefully not going to see any more delays. We’re still researching some ways we can close the gap. They’ve been working Saturdays to catch up.”

Dallner said the delays were specifically because of the lap pool because of the concrete needing 28 days to cure.

“There is no way to shorten that up. You can’t shave off any time,” he explained.

The O’Fallon Community Park, located at 401 E. Fifth St., along U.S. 50, began its metamorphosis last summer with improvement plans, including a rebuilt and enlarged city pool, which has been a park fixture since 1959.

Phase 1 includes a Parks and Rec building, locker rooms, pumphouse, pool, slide, splash pad, and performing arts stage. Phase 2 includes a complete overhaul of the Katy Cavins Center, new parking lot, and event space.

Building A of the new pool complex, which includes an office, party room, and concessions, is still on time, Dallner said.

The groundbreaking on the $19.9 million enhancement project happened on April 30, 2024, which includes a six-lane competition pool, leisure pool, two pool slides, ninja crossing, performing arts stage, 900-square-foot rentable room and new office space for the department.

A Community Park Trail has been completed. The paved trail is .8 miles and winds around the park. It’s a 10-foot-wide multi-use path.

Dallner said the enhancements were indicated in residents’ surveys and at public meetings, with the all-abilities playground, opened last year, and pool improvements the two top priority rankings in the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund surveys.

The pool also had physical issues that need to be repaired. In addition, the two sets of exit stairs were not ADA compliant and needed to be accessible with a ramp or handrails to be easily manageable for all pool users. Upgrades to restrooms were also needed, as were locker rooms with amenities.

Katy Cavins Center

Demolition work took place this past week at the Katy Cavins Center. The building, constructed in 1926, served as a community hall in the O’Fallon Community Park for 98 years.

The new multi-purpose center on Fifth Street, will also be dedicated to the memory of businessman Loyed Britten Cavins, who was known as K.D., Kady or Katy. That naming rights agreement has been in place since 1994.

Cavins started Vandalia Bus Lines, Central and Southern Truck Lines, Bel-o Cooling and Heating, and operated school buses. His business partner was Oliver C. Anderson, whose name is on a hospital in Maryville, because he was the largest donor. The old community center was limited size-wise for events of more than 100-plus people, and among the needs were the replacement of the accessibility ramp and the installation of a fire sprinkler system.

It was determined that the amount of work needed for repairs was cost-prohibitive, and it would be wiser to build a new one.

The Katy Cavins Center has been the site of summer camps, special occasions, milestones, trivia nights, fundraisers, and other events, and is part of a sweeping upgrade for the park that also includes offices and a trail.

Dallner said the new plans include a gym but that multipurpose rentals are also a big part of the facility, such as events and trivia nights.

Built during the spring and summer of 1926 by the O’Fallon Homecoming Association, it was dedicated on Oct. 23 that year, with much of the labor being donated, according to O’Fallon Historical Society records.