Charleston City Council Seeks Pool Grant Funding

The city aims to secure National Park Service funding for upgrades to local swimming facilities.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in National Parks

Charleston City Council Seeks Pool Grant Funding

Live Poll

Should your local government prioritize taxpayer funds to renovate aging public swimming pools?

Charleston City Council approved a resolution to apply for a National Park Service grant to fund $4.8 million in pool improvements. The city plans to use a $2.4 million matching fund to support the project at Cato Park and Kanawha City pools.

Why it matters

This grant application aims to modernize aging infrastructure and resolve operational issues at city pools. These upgrades are intended to restore and maintain essential recreational access for local residents.

The proposed pool improvement project carries an estimated cost of $4.8 million. Charleston has already earmarked $1 million for the upgrades and would provide a $2.4 million matching contribution if the grant application is successful.

The players

Charleston City Council

This is the legislative body responsible for governing the city of Charleston, West Virginia, and managing municipal infrastructure budgets.

National Park Service

This federal agency manages national parks and oversees the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program which funds local recreational projects.

The details

The resolution authorizes city leadership to pursue the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program grant to address long-standing infrastructure concerns. These improvements are critical for facilities like Cato Park Pool, which remained closed during the 2026 swimming season.

Cato Park Pool did not open for the 2026 swimming season.
Charleston City Council approved the grant application resolution on October 19, 2026.

Travel Outlook

This application follows the structured funding pathways provided by the National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program. Such initiatives are vital for municipalities looking to bridge the gap between maintenance needs and constrained local capital budgets.

Residents can expect potential construction timelines to emerge if the city successfully secures the grant funding. This project is a key step toward ensuring that both Cato Park and Kanawha City pools are fully functional for future swimming seasons.

The takeaway

Securing federal grant funds is a standard strategy for local governments to address significant infrastructure deficits. Following the council's approval, the city must now wait for the federal review process to determine if the $4.8 million project can proceed.