By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
As Burlington City Administrator Kevin Lahner so succinctly put it Tuesday night, the city is at a crossroads with the Burlington Community Pool.
After a lengthy discussion in the Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council approved up to $25,000 to be given for repair and upkeep of the pool this month.
The money will go toward repairs at the pool house – ones that will cover everything from replacing lighting fixtures to getting rid of original shower fixtures and rusted doorframes from when the pool first opened in 1961.
Mayor Bob Miller broached the subject with a disclaimer Tuesday night.
“The future of the pool beyond this year is, as far as I’m concerned, very much in doubt,” he explained. But the money was he needed, he said, to getting the pool “halfway presentable” by the time it opens at the end of May.
However, Community Pool Board member Scott Hoffman said after the meeting that most of the upgrades are cosmetic and won’t impact the operation of the pool.
“It’s a clean, safe environment for families,” he said. “It just wouldn’t look as nice without the infusion of city money.”
The pool is currently operated with funds provided by four community service organizations – Jaycees, Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary clubs – along with membership and daily use fees.
The city does not provide any funds for operation of pool on a regular basis.
Hoffman said the upgrades are needed to ensure the facility continues to attract swimmers until a long-term solution is determined.
Some council members said they felt the expenditure – unplanned for and not in the city’s original budget – was needed. Others questioned the need for spending that money if the pool wasn’t going to be in existence beyond this year.
All agreed on one basic fact, though: the city needs a plan for the future of the community pool, or whatever water park, pool, or other facility that may come in the future.
“We need to think a little bit further down the road,” said Alderman Tom Vos. “Why give something you don’t want to succeed $25,000?”
Alderman Jon Schultz was even more blunt.
“Are we just pissing money away in a building we’re going to knock down anyway?” he asked. “We’d better damned well get a plan together.”
Members of the Pool Board answered that question emphatically “no.”
“I don’t want it to fail,” said Jeff Erickson, a member of Kiwanis who was recently put on the board. “My goal is to make it last.”
Erickson said the pool board was already looking at alternative funding options, including a major fundraiser. The $25,000 from the city will keep the pool financially viable for the immediate future, they said.
The building that houses the locker rooms, showers, office and utilities was added to the state and national register of historic places last year due to its style of construction. It remains to be seen whether the designation results in grants or other assistance in renovating the facility.
The biggest concern on the part of council members appeared to be whether the next batch of major repairs might simply not be worth it.
Alderman Bob Prailes said there would likely be support from the community if they were asked to contribute and help.
“But we need to find out (what the future is),” Prailes said.
And one lingering question remained: with the pool and its buildings owned by the city, but operated by the city’s service clubs, what was the role of the city (and its residents) in keeping the pool functioning?
“I think that’s where we’re at, that discussion point,” said Lahner.
-
-
-
-
-
Alderman Jon Schultz was even more blunt.
“Are we just pissing money away in a building we’re going to knock down anyway?” he asked. “We’d better damned well get a plan together.”
Really? This is the level city government has sunk to? Be able to put together a coherent sentence without loser language.
Yep, no doubt it was not one of my more eloquent moments. Granted, taking ten seconds and two completely independent sentences of a much broader conversation out of context doesn’t help, but I’ll work to communicate more clearly in the future.
Thanks for calling this out -Jon
You must be used to all the sugar coated garbage/feel good talk everyone is used too now a days. I for one am glad to see someone getting straight to the point with no happy happy BS language meant to keep everyone happy. Maybe if everybody got off the political correct high horse BS, things would be better in this country!!! Again, just my uneducated opinion, take it for what it’s worth!!!
It is about time!!
I’m glad to see help being provided for operation of the pool. Not everything will make money directly, but the pool does improve the quality of life and bring people to the community, and that’s important. Keep the use costs low, improve signage to help people find the pool, and help promote and advertise it. Get church picnics in the park, and hold the baseball end of the summer party there. Lead the way getting young people there the first time and they will come back! When my family lived in Burlington we were strong supporters and users. And by the way, it’s really a somewhat unique resource! Embrace that!
I’ve been going to the Burlington Pool for many years. What a great thing we have going here in Burlington. Just about every other “city” pool is funded by tax money, while ours does not receive any tax money. If you are unaware of the pool, or want more information they have a Facebook page and an email to answer questions.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burlington-Community-Pool/349317118522973
[email protected]
See you at the pool! (If summer ever comes)
I feel really stupid, I have been out here for five years and didn’t even know a community pool existed. I guess maybe some signs would be helpful. Don’t know their hours and I don’t facebook so I guess that leaves me and others like me out of the pool.