YMCA pool the go-to as muni pool closes for repairs
Mar. 28—Mayor Will Joyce announced at the end of March the Stillwater Municipal Pool will be closed all summer for repairs.
"Unfortunately due to extensive repairs that are necessary for safety, and possible operation, at the Stillwater Pool located in Couch Park, this year we're going to utilize the YMCA to meet our community's pool needs for the summer," Joyce said.
The City's estimate for repairs is $26,534.32. A new slide would cost an additional $60,000-$75,000.
It is unclear if the slide there currently would be replaced, or if that would be an additional slide, and if the City plans has funds to pay for that. A timeline for completing repairs was not presented by the City at this time either.
"We anticipate additional repairs will be needed as we dive into this project. Our City pool is older and we want to ensure all areas of concern are addressed properly," Dawn Dodson, director of communications for the City of Stillwater told the News Press.
Dodson said last summer total pool attendance was 4,022 people. Those people who usually utilize the City pool will need to use the YMCA pool, or find other resources for swimming and cooling off this summer season.
Repairs were not made over the winter in time for summer because "winter is not an optimal time" for pool repairs, regarding temperatures and other weather conditions and considerations for water and pipes and more, Dodson said.
The funding for pool repairs will come out of the General Fund, Dodson said. General funds are discretionary funds to the City Council.
Shane Harland, executive director of Stillwater YMCA, said they plan to staff any additional volume of people in the pool accordingly.
"We're going to continue classes, and we will have to maneuver some things around," Harland said. "With our capacity, we may not be able to do as many (classes)."
Harland, also president of the Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club, said definitely the YMCA will have to make a new schedule and staff new hours, but they have yet to decide that.
"It's early, but it's not. We're going to take class sign-ups starting soon," he said.
They will publish new hours as soon as they have them and plan to create new hours for lane swimmers.
"We really appreciate the YMCA partnering with us," Joyce said. "Our public pool has served us well for many years, however, it now requires significant repairs and maintenance essential to ensure safety and functionality.
"Our top priority is the overall wellbeing of our pool-goers and their positive summer experience."
The Stillwater YMCA pool will be available to the community for $5 dollars per day, Monday-Friday, from 1-5 p.m., and Saturday from 1-4 p.m., with those hours beginning June 3 and continuing through Aug. 10. The YMCA is located at 204 S. Duck St. and there is parking there.
For any questions, please call 405-372-5833.
