La Plata High School Pool Delayed, But County Commits To Future Facility

LA PLATA, Md. — After raising concerns about a draft letter last month, the Charles County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 unanimously approved a revised letter to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), delaying funding for an indoor pool at La Plata High School — but keeping plans for a future facility alive.

The revised letter asks CCPS to remove the pool from the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) while reserving land on the school campus for a potential standalone indoor pool in the future.

“The County remains committed in building a second indoor pool facility in La Plata,” the letter states. “Consequently, we request that CCPS reserve a portion of the open space on the La Plata High School / Matula Elementary School campus to ensure that this potential standalone project can be integrated into a future CIP submission.”

Original Letter Sparked Pushback From Commissioners

The approved letter was a revision of a draft first presented on Dec. 9, 2025 which appeared to eliminate the La Plata High School pool entirely. That version drew immediate pushback from multiple commissioners, including Amanda Stewart and Gilbert Bowling, who took issue with both the message and the wording.

Commissioner Amanda Stewart said the original letter’s wording was misleading: “When we approved the Sears building, it was to increase access to swimming,” she said. “At no time was part of that conversation, ‘If we build this, we can’t afford the La Plata pool.’ That’s not acceptable.”

In July 2024, the county purchased the former Sears building at the St. Charles Towne Center to convert it into a Sports & Wellness Complex, which will include a year-round indoor competition pool. While the county says that project helps meet public demand for expanded access, some commissioners said it should not come at the expense of La Plata’s long-promised facility.

Stewart proposed a compromise: keep the pool in the La Plata site plan but delay construction until funding is available. “The year may change, but the need doesn’t change,” she said. “We have to keep the footprint in place.”

Commissioner Gilbert Bowling, who represents District 1, was also visibly frustrated by the proposal. “I’m a little concerned that when we’re going to cut something, it’s going to be in a district that hasn’t had a new school in almost 40 years,” Bowling said. “This would throw up a red flag on equity.”

He added that he supports separating the pool from the main building for safety, but not removing it altogether. “I do think it needs to be separate from the school, but I think we need to find a way to make it work because there are a lot of families that deserve access to pools,” he said.

Beavers told commissioners the county cannot afford to build and operate both the Waldorf and La Plata pools at the same time.

“A standalone pool at La Plata would require full management and operations by the county,” Beavers said. “So not just the money to construct, but the money to operate. And then both facilities require the funding to maintain. I don’t have the money. The county doesn’t have the money to finish construction of both and operate both.”

What’s Happening Now?

The commissioners also asked that the La Plata High School outdoor pool remain open and accessible during the summer months, and committed to leaving funding in the CIP to address any repairs needed during renovations.

Bottom Line

The La Plata High School pool won’t be built yet — but it’s not canceled. The county has committed to preserving space for a future facility and says expanded access to aquatics remains a top priority.

“This is not about reducing access — it’s about improving it,” said Recreation, Parks and Tourism Director Kelly Beavers. “We’re planning long-term, sustainable aquatics options for all ages, all abilities, during all hours — not just after school.”

Watch the Jan. 28 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete agenda packet for the Jan. 28 meeting here.

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