Harrison-Bruce Aquatic Center receives funding after threat of closure

HERRIN, Ill. (KBSI) – The Harrison Bruce Aquatic Center has received a large donation to reopen.

According to Herrin Park District President Bob Scillufo the swimming pool, which is part of Harrison Bruce Aquatic Center was in need of repairs. Park leaders say they lose more money on the pool each year, than they make and did not have enough funding to cover the costs of repairs.

A meeting for public input and funding ideas was held for community members of Herrin in 2025 and around 150 people showed up in support of keeping and fixing the pool.

In 2026 just ahead of summer the Harrison Bruce Foundation donated $80,000 to cover the cost of repairs.

Scillufo says the funding has already went to fixing the pools filter system and valves and the pool will be up and running for community members shortly after Memorial Day weekend.

Scillufo shares that although they were able to repair the pools filter system that’s not the only issue they have with the aquatic center. He says the city loses more and more money each year as the cost of maintenance and staff greatly out ways the cost the pool brings in. 

“In November we are planning on going to the taxpayers to do a tax levy for funding for the increase” says Scillufo. “With the funding of the park we estimate to lose about $60,000 a year when we do our budget for the pool, and we’ve been losing close to 120 a year. So, we have to do something with our funding mechanisms and the only way to do that is to increase the tax to the taxpayer level increase.”