Town of Cutler Bay Announces Permanent Closure of Cutler Ridge Pool Following Condition Assessment and Rising Operational Costs

Cutler Bay, FL – February 4, 2026 - The Town of Cutler Bay has announced the permanent closure of the Cutler Ridge Pool, effective Friday, February 27, following an extensive evaluation of the facility’s condition, escalating operational costs, and long-term fiscal considerations. The announcement was made by Town Manager Rafael Casals in a video update to residents.

Click here to watch video update

With a rich history woven throughout time, the Cutler Ridge Pool has been in operation since the early 1950s, predating the Town’s incorporation. While the Town has made efforts to keep the pool open, following the release of a Comprehensive Condition Assessment in September 2022, recent findings revealed significant challenges that simply can no longer be sustained.

In September 2022, the Town Council commissioned a Pool Condition Assessment Report, conducted by Stantec Consultants, Inc. to evaluate the feasibility of maintaining the existing pool versus transitioning aquatic services to the future Legacy Park and Municipal Complex on Old Cutler Road. Since that time, the Town has held multiple Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meetings, Council workshops, and public discussions focused on preserving access to aquatic programming.

Over the past several months, water usage costs at the Cutler Ridge Pool increased dramatically, with monthly bills rising to nearly $30,000 due to extensive underground leaks. In response, the Town Manager assembled a team of consultants, engineers, contractors, the Parks and Recreation Director, and the Town’s Aquatics Manager to explore all possible repair options.

That review determined that repairing the leaks and completing required upgrades to meet 40-year inspection standards would cost approximately $700,000. Given the facility's age and the Town’s plans for a modern aquatic center at Legacy Park, continuing to invest in the existing pool would not be a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

As part of the closure process, the Town will work closely with Miami-Dade County and the Florida Department of Health to decommission the pool in accordance with all regulatory requirements.

Town staff impacted by the closure will be reassigned within the organization, where possible. In the weeks leading up to February 27, the Town is also coordinating with swim clubs, local high schools, and regular patrons to identify alternative aquatic facilities within a reasonable driving distance, including Miami-Dade County facilities and nearby pools.

Although the pool building and deck date back to the 1950s, the structure remains solid. The Town will continue to study opportunities to reprogram the existing building and pool deck area for future recreational uses, as discussed at recent advisory committee meetings and Town Council workshops.

While the closure of the Cutler Ridge Pool is part of a broader transition to create a new, modern aquatic facility within the Legacy Park and Municipal Complex, this has been one of the most difficult decisions for Town Manager Casals to make in his almost 20 years with the Town.

Conceptual renderings for the future complex include a new pool, pool building, and deck designed to meet current safety standards and serve residents for generations to come.

Resources and Related Documents

Residents can review the following materials for additional information:

Questions and Contact Information

Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact:

Rafael Casals
Town Manager
townmanager@cutlerbay-fl.gov

Parks and Recreation Department
(786) 573-5502

The Town appreciates the community’s understanding as it balances respect for the pool’s history with the responsibility to plan for a sustainable and modern future.

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