The Waukee Brief
Here's the straight answer a lot of new Waukee families are surprised by: for a city this size, Waukee does not have its own swimming pool. A proposed aquatic center went to a vote in 2024 and fell just short. So this guide is about what you actually do in the meantime - the free splash pad in town, the YMCA's indoor pool, and the nearest real outdoor pools a short drive away.
Waukee has no municipal swimming pool. A proposed outdoor aquatic center failed a November 2024 bond vote (it got ~55%, short of the 60% needed). In town, you have the free Fox Creek splash pad and an indoor pool at the Waukee Family YMCA. The nearest outdoor aquatic centers are in West Des Moines (Holiday, Valley View) and Clive - all a short drive.
No - Waukee does not have a municipal outdoor swimming pool, which genuinely surprises people moving to one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities. A proposed $35 million outdoor aquatic center - which would have brought multiple pools, a lazy river and a large splash pad - went to a bond referendum in November 2024. It won a majority, roughly 55% in favor, but Iowa bond votes need a 60% supermajority, so it fell short and did not move forward. Any future pool would take a new plan and another vote. Until then, here's where people actually swim.
Waukee's free water play is the Fox Creek Park splash pad - a recirculating field of sprayers and bubblers that runs through the summer season. It won't replace a pool, but for cooling the little ones off it's the go-to, and the park around it has a pavilion, a tennis court and four pickleball courts so there's plenty else to do. More on it in our Waukee parks and Waukee with kids guides.
The Waukee Family YMCA (210 N. Warrior Lane) has an indoor pool and runs swim lessons and aquatics programs for all ages, including little ones. It's the main year-round place to swim in town. Access typically runs through membership or program registration, and open-swim hours change by season, so call ahead at 515-987-9996 before you load up the car.
For a full outdoor aquatic center - slides, zero-depth entry, lazy rivers - the nearest options are in neighboring West Des Moines and Clive:
West Des Moines runs two: the Holiday Aquatic Center and the larger Valley View Aquatic Center near Jordan Creek, which has a competitive pool, a leisure pool, several slides and a lazy river. Clive runs its own Clive Aquatic Center with slides and zero-depth entry. All three are open for the summer season and an easy drive from Waukee. Admission and hours are set by each city, so check their parks pages for that day's open-swim times.
Outdoor pools run on a summer season (roughly Memorial Day to mid-August) and close for storms and staffing, and each city sets its own admission and hours. Confirm the day's schedule on the West Des Moines or Clive parks pages before you drive over - and remember the Fox Creek splash pad is the free, no-plan option right in Waukee.
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No. Waukee does not have a municipal outdoor swimming pool. A proposed $35 million outdoor aquatic center went to a bond referendum in November 2024 and fell short of the required 60 percent supermajority, so it is not currently funded or under construction. For water play in town, Waukee has the free Fox Creek splash pad and an indoor pool at the Waukee Family YMCA.
Not currently. A proposed outdoor aquatic center went to a Waukee bond referendum in November 2024. It received about 55 percent yes votes but needed a 60 percent supermajority to pass, so it failed and the project did not move forward as proposed. Any future pool would require a new plan and vote.
Waukee's free splash pad is at Fox Creek Park. It is a recirculating splash pad with sprayers and bubblers that runs during the summer season, in a park that also has a pavilion, a tennis court and four pickleball courts.
The Waukee Family YMCA at 210 N. Warrior Lane has an indoor pool and runs swim lessons and aquatics programs for all ages. It is the main indoor swimming option in town; call ahead for open-swim hours and lesson schedules.
The nearest outdoor aquatic centers are in West Des Moines and Clive. West Des Moines runs the Holiday Aquatic Center (1701 Railroad Avenue) and the larger Valley View Aquatic Center (255 S 81st Street). Clive runs the Clive Aquatic Center (1801 NW 114th Street). All are a short drive from Waukee and open for the summer season.