Chesterfield's aging aquatic center cleared a key committee vote on May 12, when the Parks, Recreation & Arts Committee split 4-3 to continue planning for a new facility.

The division was sharp. Councilmember Mastorakos made the motion to advance Preliminary Plan Option 2, seconded by Councilmember Moore. Councilmembers Budoor, Moll, and Tocco voted against. The meeting minutes note "a lengthy discussion," but do not record the dissenters' specific objections.

The Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center, at 16365 Lydia Hill Drive, opened in 1998. A 2023 feasibility study found water leaks, corrosion, cracked concrete, deteriorating deck surfaces, and worn piping. Parks Director Wayne Dunker has said the city is "on borrowed time" with the facility, identifying new repairs each year just to keep it open.

The replacement project is estimated to cost roughly $20 million at the concept stage. City staff have said the project cannot be funded from current revenue and will likely require voter-approved financing. No specific ballot date has been confirmed.

FGM Architects presented three options at the May 12 meeting: two preliminary designs and a decommissioning scenario. The committee chose to move forward with the second design option, though the specific differences between the two plans were not detailed in the available records. Open houses in March 2026 drew more than 90 residents to review design concepts that included a lap pool, a dive pool, a recreation pool with zero-depth entry, water slides, a splash pad, a lazy river, and a community center.

Before the vote, Councilmember A.J. Moll, one of the three dissenters, posted on X, urging residents to attend: "Do you value Chesterfield's aquatic center? Public meeting Tuesday, May 12, 6 PM at City Hall. Open to the public."

A community survey conducted during the feasibility process found more than 80% of residents support updating the pool facility. Staff indicated in August 2025 that a new facility could open by summer 2028 if financing is secured.