Newell’s long‑closed swimming pool is finally coming out — and the city plans to replace it with a beach‑style waterpark unlike anything else in northwest Iowa.
Demolition of the old pool is set for August. Mayor Justin Lyman says the city hired Magnussen Bros Inc. of Newell to remove both the pool basin and the brick bathhouse. He says the bid came in at roughly $26,000.
Once the site is cleared, Newell plans to move forward with a synthetic‑lined swim pond featuring clear water, a sand beach, decorative rock, aeration and large inflatables — a project Lyman says the city will brand as the Newell Waterpark.
The concept gained momentum after members of the Newell Pool Project recently visited Blanchardville, Wis., where a similar facility has drawn strong attendance from families, teens and adults.
Lyman says the project has the potential to bring people into Newell from well beyond city limits.
The city has scheduled a July 30 site visit with the company that specializes in building these swim pond water features. In Blanchardville, the natural swimming pond was developed by the nonprofit Friends of McKellar Park Inc., which partnered with Commercial Recreation Specialists — the firm that designed and installed the inflatable obstacle courses Newell is now considering for its own project.
Lyman says the City of Newell will also host a public question‑and‑answer session or town hall meeting so residents can learn more about the design, safety features and costs.
The full project — including the water feature, bathhouse, fencing and amenities — is expected to cost between $500,000–$525,000. Lyman says fundraising is already more than halfway there, and the city hopes to complete the entire project in one phase.
The mayor says the waterpark would be staffed with lifeguards, include a gated entrance and offer daily admission along with family and individual passes. The Newell‑Fonda Community School District is exploring lifeguard training options to help meet staffing needs.
Lyman says the concept appeals to all ages — from young children playing in the sand to older kids using the inflatables, and adults relaxing along the beach.
He says the project is also an investment that could help Newell stand out.
If fundraising continues at its current pace, Lyman says construction could begin next spring, with the goal of opening by summer 2027.
The city and pool committee will soon rebrand the Newell Pool Project Facebook page to reflect the Newell Waterpark concept. Residents can follow updates on both the committee’s page and the City of Newell’s social media.
Lyman says the committee — now more than 10 members — has been instrumental in researching options, coordinating with the DNR and shaping the project.
