By Jon Johnson
PIMA — Just as record heat signals a hot summer ahead, the Town of Pima was already prepared with a town infrastructure project at the Pima Pool to help protect swimmers’ and lifeguards’ feet. Last year, the pool itself was resurfaced for the first time in its nearly 40-year history, and now it’s the surrounding deck’s time for a facelift.
The Town of Pima’s beloved public pool, long the summertime crown jewel of the community, is getting another welcome upgrade. The pool deck is currently being resurfaced with Kool Deck®, a premium concrete topping that will deliver greater comfort, durability, and safety for families enjoying the facility this season and for years to come.
The project carries a total cost of $85,000, with $64,000 generously covered by a grant from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. This strong community partnership significantly eases the load on local taxpayers while ensuring Pima’s only public swimming facility remains a vibrant, inviting gathering spot for residents of all ages.
The resurfacing complements other recent enhancements that continue to elevate the pool experience. New permanent shade structures were purchased last year, with labor costs covered this year, providing welcome relief from the Arizona sun. These improvements build on past successes, including the 2019 installation of new metal roofs on the lifeguard shack and two pump rooms — work completed efficiently by Ward Brothers Enterprise LLC for just $6,250.
Even more impactful was the addition of a 65-kilowatt solar panel system, developed in partnership with Graham County Electric Cooperative. The co-op covered the approximately $200,000 upfront cost through its Renewable Energy Standards tariff, shifting from individual rebates to broader community benefits that serve the entire member base. The standalone solar array also functions as shaded parking, stretching 128 feet across the front of the property with a second row positioned 50 feet behind the first.
At the heart of the latest upgrade is Kool Deck®, a product invented by Mortex in 1962 and trusted for swimming pool decks, walkways, patios, and high-traffic areas everywhere. Once applied, it forms a colored, textured cement surface as strong as the underlying concrete. Its many advantages include:
- Significantly lower surface temperatures keep the deck far more comfortable than plain concrete, even on the hottest summer days.
- Superior resistance to thermal expansion and contraction, standing up to extreme swings from 100°+ days to freezing nights.
- A non-skid textured finish that enhances safety by reducing the risk of slips when wet.
- Minimal maintenance—just rinse with water or scrub with soap and water when needed.
- An environmentally safe formula made from a proprietary mixture of natural substances and synthetic iron oxide pigments, unaffected by normal pool chemicals.
The town selected the Sand Buff color — a nature-inspired hue that provides the same durable, non-skid performance at the same affordable cost while beautifully complementing the surrounding landscape —and staying noticeably cooler than plain concrete.
Kool Deck® stands out for six key reasons that make it the top choice for pool decks:
- Comfort — Walk, sit, sunbathe, or play even during the hottest days; it stays cooler than plain concrete or other surfaces.
- Durability — Far stronger, more stain-resistant, and built to handle demanding environments.
- Safety — Non-skid texture helps prevent accidents, wet or dry.
- Beauty — Rich, consistent color and texture create an attractive addition that enhances any landscape.
- Cost — Superior quality at a lower price than other decking options, adding lasting value.
- Variety — Luxurious pastel and designer colors let the town create the perfect look.
*Source: Mortex
The resurfaced Kool Deck deck is expected to be complete by the end of April — just in time for the warmer weather and the start of another fantastic swimming season.
Through forward-thinking partnerships with Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and Graham County Electric Cooperative, the Town of Pima continues to invest in upgrades that directly improve the quality of life. Residents can look forward to cooler, safer, and more beautiful deck space, more shade, lower operating costs, and plenty of joyful, family-friendly days at the pool.
