You have one last chance to swim at the Mt. Carmel City Pool before it’s closed forever. The Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies will host their annual dog swim this evening from 5 to 8pm at the iconic landmark. City officials have tried for years to keep the pool within regulations, but various equipment failures have now made that impossible. The Illinois Department of Public Health recently found at least 4 critical violations and ruled the pool wouldn’t be allowed to operate in 2025 until those violations were corrected. Mayor Joe Judge says bringing the pool up to code would cost $11 million while building a new aquatic center would be cheaper coming in at just over $8 million. City voters will decide in November whether to approve a property tax increase to fund $3.5 million of the new pool.
The Mount Carmel City Pool was first opened in 1937. The pool has had several updates through the years. It is known for its Zero-Entry feature, meaning you can walk directly in the pool without the use of a ladder or steps.
The pool went out with a whimper over the holiday weekend as just 27 people showed up to swim on Saturday and 137 visited the 87 year old pool on Sunday.
This evening the Shelter Buddies will have hot dogs and pup cups available plus $20 micro-chipping. Admission is $5 a dog.
