Will Wichita pools open? Shutdown among cost-saving proposals to ease COVID-19 impact

Wichita could shutter municipal swimming pools and splash pads for the season to help shore up a nearly $10 million budget deficit caused by the coronavirus pandemic. City Park and Recreation Director Troy Houtman said Monday that under at least one cost-cutting plan he floated to city manager Robert Layton, the popular summertime gathering spots would stay closed until next year. The result would be $450,000 to $475,000 in savings — about half of the roughly $900,000 Houtman said he’s been asked to cut from his department’s budget to help ease COVID-19’s immediate toll.