The figure presented by Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon to city council this evening is split between $225,000 for the pool and $75,000 for the bath house at the facility.
Simeon requested the quotes to present to council so it could decide how to move forward with the project. Council took no action on the matter.
He told the panel he contacted more than 12 industrial pool companies and received three quotes.
One came in at $218,000, but the others came close to $300,000, City Manager Joseph Scherer said. “You also have to consider the quality of the contractors.”
Simeon said should the city request a formal bid package the estimates may be different. He said following the meeting all the work required for the pool doesn’t fit the criteria for grants he has looked into.
Tonight’s meeting was the second straight in which residents from the immediate area the pool has traditionally served or those who have an interest in seeing the pool remain open attended and spoke.
“I implore you to reopen the Chaloner pool,” said Gorham Spencer. “I’m disappointed the pool got in this deplorable condition that it cost ($300,000).”
Spencer said residents in the area pay their taxes like others in the city. “We don’t see anything. We drive by T.J. Davis and see the skate park. Please do the right thing.”
Lakisha Scott said she was speaking on behalf of the children in the community. “We should be fair in our decisions. We will come to every council meeting. You can borrow the money.”
Eunice Smith called the park and its pool “a great landmark for our children and grandchildren. I see it cost just as much as (repairs for) the Aquatic Center. Please find the money to operate the Chaloner pool.”
Sophia Harrison said the Chaloner Senior Club added 32 signatures to a petition presented last month containing the names of 300 people to repair the pool. “Three-hundred people, doesn’t that mean anything to you?”
Terry Buffaloe said he didn’t want to bring up the disparities, “But it looks like that. There is a disparity you should be concerned about.”
Councilman Carl Ferebee, who represents the district where the pool is located, asked about the fund balance, which is currently at 25 percent.
City Finance Director Leigh Etheridge said taking the money to fund pool repairs would pull the fund balance down to 18 percent.
Councilman Wayne Smith this evening said, “I don’t think now we can afford to repair a pool. If the funds were there I would have said fix it tonight.”
Smith said the city has already borrowed $611,000 to fund requests for this year’s budget. “Then we approved $500,000 to meet the budget. We had $3.8 million in reserves. That’s gone down to $2.8 million. We keep taking money. If we have an increase in interest rates, if we have a 1 percent increase in the interest rate it’s going to kill us.”
During the meeting Smith said the city faces a $250,000 repair bill for the street sweeper and $150,000 in asphalt patching plus the future possibility of having to replace a fire truck at Station2, which could cost as much as $500,000.
Ferebee believes the money can be found. “There’s always been needs in the city. I’m going to try to sit down and talk with the mayor. I think it’s important we do.”
Ferebee said he believes there is a way to fund the repairs. “We need to search within our hearts and do the right thing. We as leaders should set the good example.”
Simeon said afterward there have been repairs made to the pool. “There have been new pumps and new diving boards. We’re dealing with a 60-year-old pool.”
Simeon said he will wait for a directive from council on how to proceed.