By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
What began as a routine council meeting quickly turned into a flashpoint for community concern as city leaders signaled a possible reversal on the proposed closure of the Mike Wood Park pool during the April 30 meeting of the Bossier City Council.
At the outset, Council President Chris Smith acknowledged a large crowd gathered in response to the issue. He noted the meeting was not scheduled as a public forum and that the pool was not listed on the agenda, meaning residents would not be allowed to formally address the council during the session.
Still, Smith addressed the controversy directly, confirming that city leadership had taken notice of the public response.
“After hearing everybody’s feedback, the mayor and the CAO have taken proactive steps,” Smith said. “They are having a meeting tomorrow, and the intention is to keep the Mike Wood swimming pool open.”
The controversy stems from a recent announcement by city officials that the pool at Mike Wood Park would be closed and replaced with a splash pad. The plan, introduced earlier in the week, sparked swift backlash from residents who raised concerns about the loss of the city’s last public swimming pool.
The Mike Wood facility became Bossier City’s only public pool after the closure of the Meadowview Park pool in recent years, which was also replaced with a splash pad. For many residents, the potential loss of another pool raised broader questions about access to recreational opportunities, particularly for children and families.
In a statement earlier in the week, it stated the reasonings were do to declining attendance, staffing shortages, safety concerns and rising maintenance costs as reasons for the proposed closure.
However, the explanation did little to ease public frustration. Residents took to social media and contacted city officials directly, questioning the data behind the decision and expressing concern about where children would learn to swim. Others raised issues about potential impacts on neighborhood quality of life and property values.
While no formal vote or final decision was made during Thursday’s meeting, the shift in tone marked a significant development in what has become a highly visible local issue.
For now, the future of the Mike Wood pool remains uncertain, but city officials say they are continuing to evaluate options. For many residents, the response signals that community voices are being heard — and that the conversation about public recreation in Bossier City is far from over.