Will London’s pool ever re-open?
By Jane Beathard
Staff Writer
What (and how much) will it take to open and operate the London Municipal Swimming Pool this summer? A representative of the London Community Organization posed that question to city council on Thursday.
Steve Lelonek said his organization is willing to raise needed funding and recruit community volunteers to perform routine maintenance, once council and city auditor Katie Hensel provide a true estimate of the cost. Lelonek said the LCO plans to raise $20,000 to $25,000 for the project.
“That’s our goal,” he told council. “Are you comfortable with this amount?”
The pool was a casualty of cuts in London’s 2013 budget. Without independent funding, those cuts mean the pool will remain shuttered this year.
But good intentions by the LCO may not be sufficient.
Hensel said the pool generates $28,000 to $30,000 in revenue annually, but costs as much as $50,000 to operate. The 2012 shortfall was $30,000.
“That was an anomaly,” Hensel said. “We had to replace some pumps.”
London Safety-Services Director Steve Hume noted any decision to raise money and open the pool must be made quickly in order to hire a manager, lifeguards and other staff in time for a June opening.
“We’re pushing the envelope time-wise,” he said.
In addition, needed electrical and pump upgrades are likely to add as much as $15,000 to opening costs this year. Much of the work must be performed by certified pool technicians, not volunteers, Hume added.
In short, he estimated cost of opening and operating the pool will run $60,000 to $70,000 this summer.
Council member Steve Scaggs noted unanticipated repairs could send the bill higher.
“There are a lot of unknowns,” Scaggs said.
Hensel promised to provide Lelonek with a firm figure in coming weeks.
Also on Thursday, council member Alan Knowles introduced an ordinance to name the portion of Keny Boulevard between Elm Street and state Route 56 as the Dorothea Reynolds Memorial Boulevard. Mrs. Reynolds was a single parent who raised four sons in London. All were outstanding athletes who earned reputations beyond Madison County.
Bob Reynolds thanked Knowles for his effort and said naming the street in honor of his mother will inspire other single parents.
“They will say ‘if Dorothea Reynolds could do it, maybe I can do it,’” he said.
In other meeting business on Thursday, council:
• Established a new fund for $183,000 in grant money from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to demolish blighted housing in the county.
• Approved an ordinance allocating distribution of new revenues if the .05 percent income tax increase passes on May 7.
• Approved $39,600 in local funding to repave Center Street east of Main Street. The repaving is part of a $2 million state project to re-surface state Route 665 from London to the Franklin County line.
My question, what the heck is a certified pool technician?????? Why can’t the pool be improved and kept up by ‘just people who know how’, that’s how my pool is repaired and serviced…….
The pool just might have a chance now that Ryan Ladd is no longer managing it. Let’s hope the new Parks and Rec. Director does a better job and performs his job efficiently and professionally. As for funding, a few more useless positions in the city administration can be cut and there is your funding. The management and funding of the pool should not belong to civic organizations or parents. The pool is clearly a city function and should be handled as so. Let the city workers who are already being paid too much step up and take care of pool business. I do agree it is a positive thing for our youth and community but do not agree with the funding issues.
so you know how to properly manage a pool?Or are just eranting lol …over paid city employees? Please be more specific in trashing people. So you also do not agee with the funding issues, but note its a positive thing for the young folks to enjoy. You complain (mostly just by throwing people under the bus) but offer no real solutions…welcome, you have become part of the problem …
Mulldune, yes, I could properly manage a pool. Overpaid city employees, yes, that would include most of them who don’t do a whole lot of work but get paid by we the taxpayers. Not throwing anyone under the bus, just calling it like it is. So many people in this town do not like hearing the truth. If would have actually read my comment, I had a solution. Proper management of the pool (which we should have now) and take the funding from unnecessary positions in the city. Read closely before blurting out what you think I am.
I think the point he was making was that you don’t identify the unnecessary positions in the city. Is that police? Fire? What city services, specifically need cut? I’m not saying there aren’t areas that can be cut, but all of the low-hanging fruit has been picked. Specifics, please.
A blanket statement like that isn’t a solution or the “truth”, as you put it.
Actions, please do not pretend you do not know what I am referring to in my comment, and do not insult my intelligence. I most definitely would not cut our police or fire department. No need for you to act so naive. Okay, specific positions such as the Street Dept., Board of Elections, Tax Dept, or Auditor’s office. There are entirely too many employees who work in these departments. Or how about the Title Office? At least 4 full-time employees? Really? I have never once been in there and witnessed all of them working. Cut ONE position and there is the funding for the pool. It’s not rocket science.
You do understand the difference between city and county services correct? Your proposals include having the city cut COUNTY services (Board of Elections, title agency etc…).
Please don’t accuse someone of being niave when you don’t seem to have the most basic understanding of how local government operates.
Bottom line: If the pool is to remain open, it will require real sacrifice, either in tax revenue or human capital as Ms. Granger suggested (BTW: she is someone who truly understands what it means to give back to the community). The choice really is up to the citizens of London: Pitch in or throw stones.
Insults and corrections are all you seem to have Actions. Glad you know so much about the city and COUNTY services, whew, I am relieved. Cut ONE position and there is the pool funding. It’s that simple. Good luck finding enough citizens to help with this venture.
I agree with Jackie. One position in the TITLE office should be cut. That way, the remaining 3 will maybe work.
Anytime I’ve been in there they are only chatting with each other. They act like it’s a chore to get up and help you.
forget the pool, the people in this town would rather spend their money on drugs and alcohol
I have been in the swimming pool business in Madison County for over 30 years. At one time I found and repaired all of the leaks in the lap pool only to have someone winterize improperly and nullify all the expense. I haven’t been called about this pool in years as I guess the local leaders are impressed with big city companies. The village one my stores is located in has the same attitude. I’ll give you one recommendation, the size pumps on institutional pools are usually repaired if the main frame is still good which it normally is. There’s a motor a seal and an impeller. Repair the motor, replace the seal. Good luck with your pool this year. I to swam in the pool as a kid.
I hope that various civic organizations, local government and parents all can come together to help open the pool. It does need TLC since the main pool was built in the 1930′s, and I hope people step up and help to spruce it up as much as possible. I am certainly willing to put in some elbow grease to improve the pool. It provides many important things for our youth: swimming lessons for younger children, swim team for youth 5-18 yrs., summer employment for teens and exercise for kids who might normally stay inside all day and watch video games. We have so little recreation for the youth in our city, it would truly be a shame to lose the pool also. Kudos to the various groups and individuals working to keep our pool open for our community. Imagine what London could be like if everyone just helped a little when needed. Let’s hope people pitch in now for the pool.