The following article by Kennedy Scales was published on June 3, 2026 at whsv.com.
STAUNTON, Va. (WHSV) – The city of Staunton is ready to make a splash this summer.
You can now explore the city’s brand-new pool house at Gypsy Hill Park, replacing the facility that had been there for decades. Ken Jacobsen, assistant superintendent of recreation for Staunton Parks and Recreation, said the new building brings improved accessibility, more privacy for families and upgraded amenities.
“The entire building and space are ADA accessible. We’ve added restrooms, ADA restrooms, and our staff has amenities that they’ve never had in the past,” Jacobsen said. “We’ve also added, for the public, concession stands and pavilions that should make everyone’s day more enjoyable.”
That’s not all. Jacobsen said the city will also have an “extended pool season,” allowing more time for family fun.
“In the past we’ve always had to shut down our pool at the end of the school year. This year, we were able to build in some accommodations, get additional budgeting to try to extend the season into later days, at least on a partial basis,” he said. “We’re really proud again to be able to give the city and the patrons a little bit more time and opportunity to take advantage of this great new space.”
Jacobsen said this project moved quickly. Within just a few months, the city was ready to let family and friends have an upgraded area to cool off for the summer. Jacobsen said it took many people to help make this happen.
“The time frame of doing this project was extremely fast. Our old pool house closed down in August, and in a matter of nine months, we had to go through demolition and removal, build an entire new space and open the gates and the doors to the public,” he said.
Jacobsen said Parks and Rec plans to have several new activities, including swimming lessons, a Christmas-in-July event, movie nights and more, hoping to make this summer special for families in the area.
Please click here for the article highlighting the Groundbreaking article.
Lantz’rs pictured above (left to right): Jose Ibarra, Ethan Foltz, Marcus Knicely, Tommy Goolsby (project superintendent), Kevin Gabel, Pete Harman, Chris Weaver
