Mayor puts pool at top of capital projects list

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

In terms of priorities heard throughout the citizen budget partners and strategic planning sessions this fall, City of Burlington Mayor Bob Miller got the clear impression that the community pool was at the forefront of items that need to be addressed.

It’s why a request for proposals to study the needs of the facility will go out to at least six to seven businesses Friday. The city is asking for a bid to conduct an extensive study on the current site, options for alternative sites if needed, costs of remodeling or rebuilding the pool – and its long-term maintenance costs – and then also a potential referendum.

Miller and City Administrator Carina Walters spoke about the process Tuesday evening, with Miller saying he is “adamant” about any plans for the pool – and also City Hall and library plans – going to the public for referendum support before doing anything.

The city had hoped to go to referendum with pool remodeling or rebuilding plans this fall, but after negotiations fell through with Burbach Aquatics in the spring, the process fell by the wayside.

The pool is the most critical of the city projects, simply because of its condition, Miller has said. The facility was built in the mid-1960s and has exceeded its useful life.

“The pool may not be functional come spring of ’16,” Miller said. “Will City Hall stand here a year from now? Yes. Can the library still function where they’re at? Yes.

“We don’t know the toll the winter is going to take on (the pool),” Miller added. “We’ll know when we fire it up.”

Early estimates for the work needed on the pool put the cost somewhere between $600,000 and $3.5 million. The low number involves just relining the current pool, while the high number would involve a new pool with new attractions.

The high-end amount would cost the average homeowner about $48 more a year in property taxes, which would have to be approved through referendum. Donations and alternative funding options could help offset that amount.