Cañon City Piranhas in uncharted water after closing of R.C. Icabone pool

The Piranhas' last season, summer of '22, home meet weekend at Canon City's R.C. Icabone Pool. There were 40 swimmers on the team last year (some members not in picture).(Courtesy Piranhas)

The Piranhas stretch with Coaches Brett and Christa before getting into the water for practice at the Florence pool this summer. The swimmers are very grateful to still be in the water, however, many of their teammates couldn't continue after Icabone pool closed. (Courtesy Piranhas)

With Cañon City's R.C. Icabone pool permanently closed, many local swimmers know what it feels like to be a fish out of water.

The pool served generations of children and families for 56 seasons.

It outlived its life expectancy by about three decades.

But because of dangerous issues facing the aging pool, the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District Board of Directors unanimously voted to close it for good May 25.

End of an Era: R.C. Icabone Swimming Pool closes permanently

Local schools, daycares, kids clubs, children and families rely on the pool to provide a fun summer activity and also a way to stay cool on those long, hot days.

But the Piranhas swim team relies on it for regular summer practices and its annual summer meet, which is a significant fundraiser for the team.

"We prepare all year long and were in motion to have another active swim season," said Angela Evagash, president of the Cañon City Swim Team. "At this point, we’re doing our best to keep the team together and in the water."

She said when the club first heard the news about Icabone's opening delay, they began discussing with the City of Florence about accommodating the team at their pool until Icabone opened.

"We’re currently in the process of finalizing details with them to rent pool time, however, limited time slots are available," Evagash said.

The Florence pool is only a temporary option for the Piranhas, she said. It offers the distance needed to practice laps, however, it lacks the necessary needs for competition swimming, including diving blocks, lane lines and flags.

A new swimming pool audit has been completed this year for the Icabone Pool. The preliminary findings were outlined during the May 25 board meeting, but the final report will be made available during Tuesday's meeting. Replacement options will be presented at the July 11 meeting.

Findings mandate that the liner, pump, sand filters, diving board structures, and all pipes, valves and fittings must be replaced. Also, rebar is exposed on the west end of the pool deck and the concrete pad is separating from the pool structure. The wading pool is not in compliance and permanently is closed, and closure of the main pool was recommended.

The degrading fiberglass liner has numerous cracks and no longer adheres to the concrete sides of the pool and it has been known to cut kids' feet in recent years.

The news of Icabone closing already has made a big impact on the team, Evagash said.

"Membership is now half of what it was last year," she said. "The change of schedule and location to practice in Florence has caused many families to disappointingly discontinue."

There are many youngsters who love the water, want to improve their skills and compete this summer.

"We’re trying to make it work this season at another location, but future seasons are uncertain," Evagash said. "For so many years we’ve been wondering if and when Icabone will close and now it has. We have desperately needed a new pool in Cañon City."

The Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District Board of Directors meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 575 Ash St. Meetings are open to the public.

For more information on the swim team, email [email protected].

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