Los Alamos Olympic and Therapy Pools Close Feb. 22 for Replastering

The Olympic and Therapy pools at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center will close to the public on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, as Los Alamos County prepares for a major replastering and systems upgrade. Work is scheduled to begin March 2, 2026, and the county says the Leisure Lagoon will remain open during construction to preserve recreational access.

County communications note that planning and procurement for long‑lead items began in May 2025. “Since May 2025, Los Alamos County, in conjunction with contractor Lee‑sure Pools, has been preparing for the Olympic Pool Re‑plastering Project, and the time has finally come,” a county news release reprinted by LaDailyPost states. LaDailyPost also reports that “Lee‑sure Pools is the only service provider within the Southwest that can complete the work.”

The project will resurface the Olympic Pool plaster shell, which dates to the late 1980s and is beyond the typical 15-20 year life expectancy for pool plaster. Scope items include replastering the Olympic Pool, replacing original starting blocks with competition‑grade blocks, installing new deck tile and therapy pool handrails, replacing suction inlets and underwater lighting, upgrading filtration controls with new flow meters and electrical relays, repairing a leaking pipe section, repainting therapy pool walls, draining both pools, deep cleaning locker rooms, repainting deck signs, and other condition‑assessment repairs.

Los Alamos County Council set a $2,000,000 project budget and approved a services agreement in an amount not to exceed $1,404,762.43 plus applicable gross receipts tax. Public documents use two contractor names: county press materials and LaDailyPost identify “Lee‑sure Pools,” while council paperwork lists “Leisure Pools Inc.” County officials have been asked to clarify whether the two names refer to the same legal entity.

Operational changes begin immediately for patrons. Starting Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, the Aquatic Center’s main entrance will be relocated to the south patio near the stairs to Canyon Road; patrons will be able to access Leisure Lagoon admission there. LosAlamosNM Us schedule pages note that lap swim and session rules remain posted for the Main Pool and Therapy Pool but flag both pools as closed beginning March 2 for the re‑plastering project, with a current construction window of March–October 2026 and a projected startup or reopening between late October and November 2026.

Supply chain issues have affected related projects. The Los Alamos Reporter says arrival of remaining electrical components delayed final tuning of the Leisure Lagoon water system; the county has ordered long‑lead items early to reduce shortage risk and has been coordinating alternative swim access with facilities in Santa Fe to reduce community impact.

For questions, contact Katherine Hudspeth at 505.662.8249 or Katherine.Hudspeth@losalamosnm.gov. The closure is a significant short‑term disruption for swim teams, lessons, and regular lap swimmers, but officials frame the work as essential maintenance to extend pool life and upgrade competition and filtration systems; patrons should watch county project updates for firm reopening dates and alternative swim arrangements.