ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Malvern Hills Park pool was quiet again this summer.
For the third summer in a row, families in West Asheville couldn’t cool off in the neighborhood pool, which closed in 2024 after being deemed unsafe.
There is, however, some movement on the city’s plans to replace it.
The city began reviewing a planning application Aug. 26 for renovations at Malvern Hills Park. The project includes demolishing the existing pool and building a new one, along with a new pool deck, accessible parking and other infrastructure improvements, according to city records.
The project is planned for 75 Rumbough Place, where the existing pool is located.
The application is still under review. City staff is checking the plans for compliance with local, state and federal requirements, according to the city’s permitting records.
The pool has been out of service because it has exceeded its useful life and has safety issues that made continued operation difficult, city officials said.
The city plans to replace it with a modern, accessible facility that meets current safety and building codes.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the new pool targeted to open for the summer 2028 season.
That means West Asheville residents will have to wait through another summer before the pool is expected to return.
The replacement project has been in the works for several years. Asheville unveiled a roughly $4.75 million design for the new pool last year after gathering input from residents about what they wanted to see at the site.
The city held a community survey, a design open house, outreach at farmers markets and an online comment period as it worked on the plans.
Funding also is in place. Asheville voters approved a general obligation bond referendum in November 2025 that included up to $20 million for parks and recreation improvements around the city, including a new pool at Malvern Hills Park.
For now, the old pool remains closed.
For West Asheville families, that means one more summer without the neighborhood pool — and, if the city’s schedule holds, a new one in 2028.
