Charleston Rotary Community Aquatic Center will remain closed for remainder of 2026

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WAND) — The Charleston Parks and Recreation Department announced that the Rotary Community Aquatic Center will remain closed for the rest of the year.

The park suffered a direct hit from an EF-2 tornado on June 17.

Aquatic center staff and community volunteers worked hard to clear debris — but after talks with insurance companies, the department decided to keep the center closed for the season.

Parks and Recreation Director Diane Ratliff said debris was the number one problem.

"There was so much stuff everywhere, you could hardly see the pool," Ratliff said. "All the chairs in the pool were inside the water, the lifeguard chairs were in the water, pieces of wood wedged into the fencing."

Season pass holders can either use Mattoon's Lytle Pool for the remainder of the summer with their Rotary membership or contact the Parks and Recreation Department to transfer their 2026 membership to next year.

Despite the closure, Ratliff stated the park will be something to look forward to next year.

"We're excited for the community to come out next summer," Ratliff said. "We'll have some new items; things will be nice and shiny and new."