Charleston families looking to cool off at the Rotary Pool this Summer will need to make other plans now as the facility will not reopen for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The Charleston Parks and Recreation Department announced Wednesday that the pool will stay closed due to “extensive” damage sustained during the tornado on June 17th. Staff have spent the weeks since the storm hit cleaning the facility, removing debris, draining the pools, and conducting damage assessments, but the extent of the repairs needed, combined with contractor availability and required inspections, made a reopening this Summer near impossible.
Charleston Rotary Pool is expected to open next year in 2027.
“While we know this is disappointing news for our community, we are committed to restoring the Rotary Community Aquatic Center safely and responsibly so it is ready to welcome families back for the 2027 season,” said Parks and Recreation Director Diane Ratliff.
What if I have already bought a membership to the pool? Charleston Parks and Recreation has worked out options to soften the blow. Season pass holders can use their Rotary Membership at Mattoon’s Lytle Pool for the remainder of the summer, or contact the Parks and Recreation Department to roll their 2026 membership over to 2027.
Punch card holders can exchange their remaining punches for equivalent daily admission passes to be used at Lytle Pool by stopping by the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department during normal business hours.
In the press release, the City of Mattoon and Lytle Pool staff were thanked for stepping up to keep Charleston families with a place to swim for the rest of the summer.
For questions about memberships or punch card exchanges, contact the Charleston Parks and Recreation Department directly at 217-345-6897.
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