The Wilson Aquatic Center has been closed indefinitely since August 2023, due to necessary repairs to the HVAC and cooling systems. However, a lack of communication with staff and students from the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has made it difficult to ascertain how much progress toward the repairs has been made. 

The pool closed in February 2023 after failing to meet standards during a health inspection. The health code violations included a broken dehumidifier, leaking pipes, a loose grab rail in the pool, and low water temperature. The inspection also discovered that the HVAC system needed to be replaced. Specifically, the system needs to be overhauled, significantly lengthening the time it takes to fix the pool.

Since then, little information on the repairs’ progress has been shared with the JR community. The DPR officially stated that the pool is closed indefinitely, with no estimated reopening. A member of the swim team hoped that the pool could be restored “by the 2024-25 swim season,” but is doubtful due to little communication from staff. Following the closure, the swim team has had to relocate to the Takoma Recreation Center to practice, causing transportation difficulties and inconveniences.

According to Physical Education teacher Jennifer Conklin, the repairs were planned to be completed by this summer, but will likely “take at least another year.” She compared it to the repairs in Takoma Aquatic Center, which took two years. Although the repairs have made headway—with building materials filling the pool entrance—a lack of communication makes it unclear how much progress has actually been made. Conklin commented that she has heard little about the repairs’ progress and has rarely seen people working. One member of the swim team, concerned by the continued closure, exaggerated that the repairs are probably “going to take 2 years” at the current rate.