City Swimming Pool Gave Us 40+ Years of Summer Fun, Got Old and Wore Out. Now What?

By Pauline Mssson –

The city swiming pool that former Mayor Diquie Omer built in 1979 –  over the objection of some residents  – was a popular city amenity for four decades, spawning a successful swim and dive team for young athletes, hosting regional swim meets that brought hundreds of visitors to Pacific and providing summers of fun for local families and visitors. 

But the basin of concrete filled with a welcoming splash of blue at the entrance to the city park got old and wore out. Now What?

The Pacific park board is poised to build a new, bigger, better city swimming pool. But first they have to convince voters to charge the homeowners to pay for it with higher property taxes.

The city plans to place a $6 million bond issue on the ballot in the coming August or November election – asking for a 25-cent property tax levy, which would increase taxes on a $200,000 home $95 per year. 

If low voter turnout reported in recent Pacific elections prevails, a very small number of voters could make this decision for all property owners. According to Franklin County records, of the 4,621 registered voters in Pacific’s three wards, only 717 voted in the 2022 election.

High voter interest in a tax increase could raise that number. It should be noted that over 3,000 Pacific voters cast ballots in the 2020 election when the nation selected a president.

If the voters approve the bond issue, the old pool would be removed in 2024 and the new expanded pool built on the site. Planners say the pool can be built in one year and the new complex would be open for the 2025 swim season.

Because the larger pool will require more lifeguards gate admission fees would be increased to pay for operation of the pool.

Having said all that, what the voters will get for their money is no small thing.

Westport Pools, which manages the pool for the city designed the enlarged pool. And Navigate Building Solutions, a swimming pool project management specialist firm will be tapped to assure that Westport’s estimated building costs are accurate.

The park board chose a plan for a large acquatic complex that includes play areas for small children, marked lanes for serious swimmers and competitions, two diving boards, a climbing wall and more. 

The design includes a bath house. A party room has been suggested. The 9,700 square foot pool would be almost twice the size of the current 5,200 square foot pool.

The plan favored by the park board will be presented to the aldermen at the May 2 board meeting. Aldermen will have the opportunity to approve the plan as submitted, or alter the plan by adding or taking away planned amenities and to determine when to go to the voters for funding.

This is a big issue for the new board of aldermen that will also be facing the controversial Candlewick Lane gate on the same agenda. 

Either of these issues can be slowed by sending it to an aldermanic committee for more study. Mayor Heather Filley has promised to assign board members to the administrative and operations committees in this meeting. 

Each committee has three aldermen and committee meetings are open to the public where speakers would have the opportunity to express their wishes or worries on the issues on the meeting agenda.

Individuals who want to speak on either of the issues now is encouraged to attend the board of aldermen meeting at 7:00 p.m.Tuesday, May 2 at city hall. Anyone wishing to address the board should fill out a speaker card before the meeting starts.