Elizabethton Approves Kingsport Firm for Pool House Renovation

City Council selects architectural firm to provide services for potential pool house project, but timing of grant application remains uncertain.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Elizabethton City Council has approved hiring Cain, Rash, West Architect Inc. of Kingsport to provide architectural services for a potential renovation or replacement of the Franklin Pool's aging pool house. While the council agreed the pool house needs work, the city must first close out an existing grant for pool improvements before applying for a new Community Development Block Grant to fund the pool house project, which could delay the timeline.

Why it matters

The Franklin Pool and its pool house are important community assets in Elizabethton, with the pool house containing restrooms, changing facilities and concessions. Renovating or replacing the aging structure is a priority for the city, but the timing of securing grant funding remains uncertain due to the need to first close out an existing pool improvement grant.

The details

The city council approved hiring Cain, Rash, West Architect Inc. to provide architectural services for the potential pool house project, a necessary step to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund the work. However, the city currently has an open $630,000 block grant for pool improvements that must be fully closed out before a new grant application can be submitted, likely delaying the pool house project timeline. The current pool house is described as old and worn out, with several council members recalling using the facility in their youth.

  • In late 2023, the city was awarded a $630,000 block grant to fund pool improvements.
  • The 2026 block grant application window closes this spring, but the city's existing grant must be closed out first.
  • The city plans to apply for a new block grant to fund the pool house project during the 2027 application process.

The players

Cain, Rash, West Architect Inc.

A Kingsport-based architectural firm selected by the Elizabethton City Council to provide services for the potential pool house renovation or replacement project.

Deborah Gouge

An Elizabethton City Council member who noted the council agreed the pool house needs renovation and expressed a desire to keep the project moving forward.

Jeff Treadway

An Elizabethton City Council member who asked about progress on the pool renovation project.

David Nanney

The Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director, who provided an update on the pool renovation project.

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What they’re saying

“I won't say what I think about the old building; but we all agreed on it, you know, it was old and worn out when we were teenagers. I'm just pleased that we're looking forward to doing something.”

— Deborah Gouge, Elizabethton City Council member (elizabethton.com)

“Because right now, you're down to tile work and the liner itself, and both have to have time when the temperature doesn't get below freezing. So, next week or so we look pretty good according to the Weather Channel today.”

— David Nanney, Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director (elizabethton.com)

What’s next

The city plans to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to fund the pool house renovation or replacement project during the 2027 application process, after its existing pool improvement grant is fully closed out.

The takeaway

Elizabethton's efforts to renovate or replace the aging Franklin Pool house highlight the challenges municipalities can face in securing grant funding and coordinating multiple infrastructure projects, even for important community assets like public pools.