Pool At Cal Oaks Sports Park Closes For Good, New One Promised

MURRIETA, CA — Bad news for Murrieta swimmers, but not forever.

After many attempts to open the Cal Oaks Sports Park pool for the summer season, the city announced Tuesday it was "saddened to share that the pool has officially 'exceeded its useful lifespan'" and closed for good.

The pool was built before Murrieta's July 1991 incorporation. For over 30 years, Community Services staff "maintained the pool to the best of their ability" but keeping it open beyond a three-month summer season proved challenging — and things only got worse over the last few years due to aging infrastructure, according to the city.

This summer, the city had hoped to open for another short summer season, but there were delays due to equipment problems.

"After much, much cost analysis and coordination with the Riverside County Health Department, the City had to make the difficult decision to remain closed not only this summer season, but to close the pool in its entirety," according to the city.

The city has started a planning process to build a new pool at the park and community input will be sought in the coming months, officials said.

"Please be on the lookout for a project website and dates to provide input," the city said.