New Pool Could Possibility Near Sports Complex
At Monday’s Macomb City Council meeting, aldermen voted to approve recommendations from Public Works Director Alice Ohrtmann to shutter the Glenwood Park Pool this summer due to significant issues with the pool’s infrastructure. Aldermen also voted to retain pool manager Megan Pittman, who will lead swimming lessons at the Macomb High School pool.
“The summer swimming lessons have been a solid source of revenue, and this will allow Megan to develop lifeguards for when the city pool is rebuilt,” Ohrtmann told the Council.
City Administrator Scott Coker said funding for Pittman and the lifeguards has been built into the city’s budget. Aldermen received engineering reports from TWM and Klinger and Associates, both of which stated the pool is in no condition to be used.
TWM identified significant deterioration in multiple components of the elevated pool deck. Temporary shoring could cost in excess of $315,000; full repairs would cost significantly more and require the pool house into ADA compliance, which would add to project costs.
According to their report, TWM’s professional option is that the cumulative deficiencies represent a significant rehabilitation effort. In addition, Klinger and Associates, noted that immediate repairs are necessary to keep the building structurally sound.
Alderman John Vigezzi said he favors incorporating a new swimming pool into the new sports complex.
“This is a quality of life issue,” Vigezzi said.
Mayor Mike Inman said Sports Facilities Company agreed that an outdoor pool near the complex is a good fit. If a new pool is constructed in the business development district, it will be an outdoor facility; it will not be an indoor pool that is part of the complex.
Inman told The Community News Brief earlier this week that having the pool near/adjacent to the complex, within the business development district, will allow the city to fund a new pool with business development tax dollars, STAR bonds, should the city receive, and opens up a new level of funding options.
In related action, the City Council voted to approve an agreement with the Farnsworth Group for landscape architectural designs of the proposed indoor sports complex at a fee of $8,050. Coker said the schematics would be used at the March 26 public forum at the Spoon River College Outreach Center.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
A discussion and question- and-answer session will be held regarding the propost sports complex.
The event is open to the public.
Aldermen also voted to approve a resolution authorizing execution of a purchase agreement stating Macomb’s intent to purchase a 30-acre tract of land known as Jackson Corner at 1725 E. Jackson St. at its intersection with Bower Road. The city would have until August 31, 2027 to commit to the $2 million cost of the land that would house the sports complex. If a decision is made not to proceed with the facility, Macomb would not owe any payment if it is announced prior to the August deadline. City Attorney Lisa Scalf said Macomb could use Eastside Tax Increment Finance District funds and Macomb Business Development District funds toward the $2 million payment.
In other business, the City Council approved awarding a $29,430 contract to Laverdiere Construction for repair of a collapsed storm sewer on South Johnson Street. Ohrtmann said a sinkhole caused the collapse of a 21-inch sewer line located ten feet below the surface. Aldermen also approved a $261,027 contract with Hanson Professional Services for engineering and supervision of a $3.5
million upgrade to the city sewer plant.
