Shanklin Pool

A Goshen Tradition From 1970-2024

For more than 54 years, Shanklin Pool was a staple of summer in Goshen. Generations of residents learned to swim there, cooled off after ballgames and built lasting memories with family and friends. For many, it was where childhood summers unfolded, first jobs began and lifelong friendships took shape.

Following years of planning and changes to Indiana’s municipal funding structure, the City of Goshen made the difficult decision to demolish the aging facility. Demolition begins Aug. 3, 2026.

Although Shanklin Pool has reached the end of its service life, the City’s commitment to aquatic recreation has not changed. City leaders will continue exploring opportunities to make a future community aquatic facility possible while partnering with Goshen Community Schools to provide summer swimming opportunities.

Shanklin Pool Demolition, August 2026

Demolition of Shanklin Pool begins Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Work is expected to continue through September.

Crews will remove the pools, bathhouses, concession stand, sidewalks, fencing and other site improvements before restoring the area to green space. Whenever practical, materials removed during demolition will be recycled, reclaimed or repurposed.

The demolition work will not affect other amenities within Shanklin Park. The ball diamonds, Schrock Pavilion, Tommy’s Kid Castle, parking areas and Elkhart River access will remain open throughout construction.

Planning for Shanklin Pool’s Future

City leaders began evaluating the future of Shanklin Pool in 2022 after the facility exceeded its projected lifespan by more than a decade.

Working with HWC Engineering, a City task force studied several options before recommending construction of a modern municipal aquatic center. The proposed $12.3 million facility included a beach-entry pool, water slides, expanded children’s play areas, shade structures, cabanas and a new bathhouse.

The City completed conceptual designs and began preparing a financing plan while pursuing supplemental community funding opportunities. The pool was closed at the end of the 2024 season and construction was to take place in 2025 with the new pool to open in time for 2026.

In March 2025, however, uncertainty surrounding Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 1 and its long-term impact on municipal revenues prompted the City Council to pause the project while reviewing the City’s financial outlook.

Following that review and the eventual implementation of SEA 1, City officials determined they could not responsibly proceed with construction while maintaining the City’s long-term financial stability. As the vacant facility continued to deteriorate, demolition became the most responsible course of action while future options continue to be evaluated.

Looking Ahead

A Legacy Since 1970

Project SWIM

Shanklin Pool opened in 1970 after the Goshen Rotary Club raised nearly $170,000 through its Golden Anniversary project, known as Project SWIM.

Led by Charles W. Ainley and supported by Mayor Ralph B. Shenk, the campaign mobilized more than 100 volunteer canvassers to help make a community swimming pool a reality.

To build excitement, The Goshen News sponsored an essay contest for local sixth graders titled Why Goshen Needs a Pool. Every essay was published in the newspaper, and Sue Stahl of Chandler Elementary School was named the winner.

A Summer Tradition

Since opening in 1970, the Goshen Parks & Recreation Department operated the facility, which eventually included three pools, a diving and slide area, bathhouses and a concession stand. The pool accommodated up to 625 swimmers and regularly welcomed between 300 and 500 visitors each day during the summer months.

For many residents, Shanklin Pool was a rite of passage growing up in The Maple City. Children learned to swim there while teenagers worked their first summer jobs as lifeguards and concession workers.

Countless summer afternoons ended with a trip to the pool after Cadet and Junior Park League baseball games on the adjacent diamonds. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, elementary- and junior high-aged players routinely made their way from the ballfields to the pool, where annual season pass patches sewn onto swimsuits became a familiar symbol of summer in Goshen.

Adults also used the pool for designated lap swimming, water aerobics and community gatherings.

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Continued Community Investment

Community support for Shanklin Pool continued long after it opened.

In 1989, a second capital campaign raised nearly $200,000 for upgrades and renovations. Fresh off leading Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship, football coach Lou Holtz spoke at Rotary’s Victory Dinner celebrating the campaign’s success.

The City added water slides to the pool in 2005 that helped keep Shanklin Pool a favorite summer destination for local families.

FAQs

Why is Shanklin Pool being demolished?

Shanklin Pool exceeded its projected service life by more than a decade. Following years of planning and a review of the City’s financial outlook, officials determined demolition was the safest and most responsible option.

Why wasn’t the pool renovated?

City leaders concluded that constructing a modern aquatic center offered greater long-term value than investing significant resources into a facility that had already exceeded its intended lifespan.

What happened to the replacement aquatic center?

The City paused the project in 2025 following changes to Indiana’s municipal funding structure and uncertainty surrounding future local revenues.

Will Goshen build another community pool?

There is currently no construction timeline. The City remains committed to exploring future funding opportunities and community partnerships to make a new aquatic facility possible.

Are swimming lessons still available?

Yes. The City continues partnering with Goshen Community Schools to offer summer swimming lessons at the GCS Aquatic Center.

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