Asheville Council Approves Malvern Hills Pool Contract

The city will build a new pool at Malvern Hills Park, with construction set to begin before the end of 2026.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Swimming

Isometric editorial illustration of an excavated pool basin with red clay walls and a yellow excavator arm beside a wooded hillside, marking the start of a city pool project. — Asheville City Council approved a contract amendment on Tuesday to build a new public pool at Malvern Hills Park, with construction set to begin before the end of 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Asheville City Council approved a resolution allowing the city manager to enter a construction contract amendment for a new pool at Malvern Hills Park. The city invited residents to review potential pool designs and provide feedback in 2025.

Why it matters

The approval moves the Malvern Hills project toward construction, giving Asheville residents a new public swimming option after the city's current pool network. Asheville currently offers access to three public swimming pools for the 2027 summer season.

The city's existing three public pools serve as the baseline for the 2027 season, while the new Malvern Hills facility is scheduled to open for the 2028 summer season. The contract amount and full scope of the amendment have not been disclosed.

The players

Asheville City Council

The elected governing body of Asheville, North Carolina, which approved the resolution authorizing the contract amendment.

Malvern Hills Park

A public park in Asheville, North Carolina, where the new swimming pool will be constructed.

The details

Asheville City Council approved a resolution allowing the city manager to enter a construction contract amendment for the Malvern Hills Park pool. The project was shaped by community input after residents were invited in 2025 to review potential designs and offer feedback.

2025: City invites residents to review pool designs and give feedback.
Before the end of 2026: Construction on the new Malvern Hills pool officially begins.
2027 summer season: Grant Southside Center, Hominy Valley Pool and Erwin Pool remain available to residents.
2028 summer season: The Malvern Hills Park pool is scheduled to open.

Season Trajectory

The new Malvern Hills pool extends Asheville's existing network of three public pools, Grant Southside Center, Hominy Valley Pool and Erwin Pool, which are available for the 2027 summer season. The Malvern Hills facility is scheduled to open for the 2028 summer season, adding capacity to the city's public swimming options.

Residents who rely on public pools should plan around the existing Grant Southside Center, Hominy Valley Pool and Erwin Pool for the 2027 summer season. The Malvern Hills Park pool is not expected to open until the 2028 summer season, so it will not be available during that earlier window.

The takeaway

Asheville's new Malvern Hills pool shows the city moving from public design input to a funded construction contract. Residents who gave feedback on pool designs in 2025 will see the project take shape before the 2028 season.

What happens next

Construction on the Malvern Hills Park pool will officially begin before the end of 2026, with the facility scheduled to open for the 2028 summer season.