Council OKs drafting bond language for vote on new pool

Vote would be Nov. 4

A conceptual design from Wahoo, Nebraska-based JEO Consulting for a new Greenfield swimming pool reflects a pool that has swim lanes, a deep end, low and high diving boards, basketball hoops and zero entry — a feature the current pool does not have.

Greenfield residents will have an opportunity Nov. 4 to vote on whether or not the city will utilize general obligation bonds for an amount not to exceed $1 million for building a new swimming pool.

The city council voted unanimously last Tuesday, Aug. 12 to move forward to have legal language written for the ballot. The council wants voters to decide whether or not they will borrow for that amount and replace an early 1940s pool. The pool has been found to be deteriorating and would require significant upgrades to be able to remain operational in the long term.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $5.2 million, with the balance of the price tag being paid for by potential grants and fundraising. Planners are hopeful that fundraising, which is already underway, will go well.

The council’s parks and recreation subcommittee met recently with the city’s financial advisers and City Administrator Michelle Carns. Together, they and engineering firm JEO looked at every aspect of the pool. JEO is continuing to work on a feasibility study to consider operational costs of a new pool into the future.

“Pools are a cost center. I don’t like to look at them as a loss. We know it’s going to cost to operate them and that we’re going to bring revenue in by selling admissions and concessions,” Carns said.

Carns said from financial and legal counsel at the city and bond level to engineers and Southern Iowa Council of Governments, the Operation Pool Committee and Greater Greenfield Community Foundation helping to work on grants and fundraising, as well as city staff, there are numerous community partners that need to be all in for a project of this size.

“The big question is if the council supports continued exploration,” Carns said. Leaders have deeply considered how bonding for a new pool would affect other infrastructure needs the city has in the near future, like sewer lining and street needs.

Council member Jeff Clayton said it’s time for voters to decide whether they want a new pool.

“We need to get it out there so the community can vote. That’s my opinion. If the community’s behind it we can go. We can’t put this off,” Clayton said.

A recently-released conceptual drawing shows a pool with a slightly smaller footprint than the current pool, situated a little differently on the same property at the corner of Northeast 2nd and Elm Streets. Construction is projected to have minimal impact to the swim season.

The new pool would hold approximately 300 while the current pool holds 400. It would feature swim lanes, a deep end, low and high diving boards, basketball hoops and zero entry — a feature the current pool doesn’t have.

Efficiency and safety are top of mind when looking at planning, building and operating a new pool.

“We’re being very prudent and trying to find any cost saving we can find to make this a little more feasible for us,” Carns said. “This is something they’ve done before, so it’s not something they’re doing from scratch.”

In another agenda item during the meeting, city leaders commended the pool staff and Public Works Director Brian Hoadley, who primarily maintains the pool, on a successful season. The pool closed for the year Saturday, Aug. 9. Pool Manager was Erin Rhoads and Sophia Burnside was assistant manager.

In other action, the council:

• held a public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant for phase 2 of sewer collection system upgrades, with the help of Southern Iowa Council of Governments’ Jeremy Rounds

• authorized Greenfield Police Sgt. Hunter Fry receive a $4/hour raise, as requested by the council’s public safety committee

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson

Caleb Nelson has served as News Editor of the Adair County Free Press and Fontanelle Observer since Oct. 2017. He and his wife Kilee live in Greenfield. In Greenfield and the greater Adair County area, he values the opportunity to tell peoples' stories, enjoys playing guitar, following all levels of sports, and being a part of his local church.