Prattville City Pool Closed for 2026 Season Over Structural Issues

Prattville officials announced at the March 3 Prattville City Council meeting that Pratt Pool at Pratt Park will remain closed for the 2026 summer season, citing a formal structural assessment conducted by a licensed professional engineer that found chronic leaks and possible voids beneath the pool slab and behind pool walls. Parks & Recreation Director Kellie Carter said, "This decision was not made lightly," and added that, "The safety of our residents — especially our children and families — must always come first."

City communications and local reporting say the engineer warned the possible voids pose an acute safety risk. WAKA Action 8 News quoted the engineer summary that "the voids could result in sudden structural failure without warning," and noted the pool "first opened in the 1970s." The City of Prattville's online statement mirrors that account: "The City of Prattville has made the difficult decision to close the municipal pool for the 2026 season, following a formal structural assessment conducted by a licensed professional engineer."

Prattville officials said prior maintenance and attempted repairs were not sufficient in light of the current findings. WAKA reported the city had "worked over time to address leakage and deterioration concerns through ongoing maintenance efforts, professional evaluations, and attempted repair options," but that "the current structural findings indicate that temporary measures are no longer sufficient to ensure safe operation."

While the city evaluates next steps, officials are pursuing short-term alternatives for swimmers. WAKA reported the City "is working with the YMCA to explore alternative options for local water lovers, including opportunities for swim team participation, water aerobics and swim lessons." Pratt Park’s splash pad remains available to families; the city lists the splash pad season as May 1 - September 30, with free admission and hours of 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., closing for inclement weather and requiring swimwear and swim diapers.

City contact information for patrons seeking updates is printed on Prattville’s website: Pratt Pool can be reached at 334-365-9997, and Prattville City Hall is located at 101 West Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067. The city has posted repeated banner language reading "Pratt Pool Closed for the 2026 Season" and an Instagram notice stating "The City of Prattville has made the difficult decision to close Pratt pool for the 2026 season following a formal structural assessment by a licensed engineer."

The city has not released the name of the licensed professional engineer or the full engineering report, nor has it provided a timeline or cost estimate for repairs; those details were not included in the city's press materials or the public notices posted online. Prattville officials say safety is the priority as they work with outside partners and evaluate options for the pool site and community swim programming.