|
|
|
Last Updated: Mar 5, 2010 - 8:55 AM |
The Stromsburg City Council in cooperation with the City Park Board held an informational meeting at the Cross County High School on Monday evening to discuss the most current situation with the city swimming pool in Buckley Park. The decision has been made not to open the pool this year. There have been significant obstacles to overcome the last few years to get the pool functioning in a way that meets the criteria set down by state and federal statutes. The repair issues have come to a point where it is no longer feasible to fix the problems that would allow the pool to pass government inspection.
Some of the most pressing issues are as follows: The bathhouse roof needs to be replaced. The exterior of the bathhouse walls are cracked and need repair. The bathhouse does not meet American Disabilities Act standards. The pool deck is cracked and sinking. The main drains, floor and walls are leaking water at a rate of 10,000 gallons a day. The main filter needs to be repaired or replaced. The chemical system and the heater both need to be replaced.
A new law passed recently by Congress called the Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Federal Pool and Spa Act places very strict and specific requirements on the drain covers and drain systems in all existing pools. The design of the new drains has made it very challenging for pools of older construction to retro fit the new drain covers and drain systems to satisfy the compliance mandates.
In 2008 the City conducted a survey to find how the residents of Stromsburg felt about dealing with issues surrounding the pool. 68% of those who responded in the survey were in favor of building a new pool. Those who filled out the survey were also asked to rate the importance of certain design aspects of a new pool. Some of the most popular design features were: diving board area, concessions, lap lanes for exercise and lap swimming, zero entry depth, shallow play area for infants and toddlers, water slide and shaded areas.
The City has hired Miller and Associates as an engineer to assist the park board in looking at possible designs for the new pool to fit the popular criteria addressed in the survey, while maintaining a feasible budget. The park board has also coordinated with the Polk County Foundation to begin the process of applying for grants and looking at possible fundraising options.
The estimated cost to build the new pool is somewhere in the 1.6 to 2 million dollar range.
The City currently has just over 200 thousand dollars that has been donated specifically to be used for improvements in Buckley Park. The city council has earmarked 100 thousand dollars of that fund to go to the new pool construction. It has also been determined at today's interest rates that the City would be able to finance 1.6 million through 15 year municipal bonds that would be paid for by using 140 thousand dollars of the projected 190 thousand dollar annual city sales tax revenue. This would finance a significant portion of the construction cost. The rest of the financing would come through possible Peter Kiewit type grants and local fundraising. It is estimated that local fundraising will need to raise somewhere in the 400 thousand dollar range. The goal is to have 2.2 million dollars in place to cover all cost contingencies.
Larry Steele of Miller and Associates showed the group an artist’s rendition of the preliminary plans that include the various design aspects selected by the survey. He answered specific questions about construction techniques, flood plain issues and what some towns similar in size to Stromsburg have done in recent pool construction projects.
The city council and park board also held a similar meeting at the Viking Center on Wednesday. The intent is to keep moving the process forward by gathering as much input from interested parties as possible in order to make a final decision that will be in the best interest of the community and the surrounding area.
© Copyright 2010 by polkcountynewspaper.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
