Will New Concord get a new swimming pool? While seeking funding, mayor remains hopeful
NEW CONCORD − Mayor Jennifer Lyle said plans continue to slowly move forward regarding a new swimming pool for the village. This project is not connected to the downtown revitalization plan announced a week ago.
The current pool, located across the street from Larry Miller Intermediate School on John Glenn School Road, has been in operation since the 1960s. At that time, the pool was owned and operated by village residents. The village now manages the property, care and maintenance of the pool.
A grant from the Straker Foundation during the pandemic allowed the village to begin work with Columbus-based MSA Sport to come up with a plan for a new facility. Since those meetings in 2021 and 2022, there has been little progress. Resources have been tight when it comes to proper fundraising for the pool, according to Lyle.
"If we can fund it, we're going to have enough to do with the increased operating costs. Because that's the other thing. Pools never make money, obviously. And that's OK. It's an asset for the community. I like us having a pool and I think many people in town want to have a pool because it's an old-fashioned, family-fun thing for kids to do outside. We've always had one. If we can keep that going I would really like to," she said.
The initial money from The Straker Foundation was used for a feasibility study, to host community meetings, to offer free lifeguard certifications, to give free swimming lessons, to obtain security cameras, and a new cleaner, sweeper, and filter repair work for the pool.
The ballpark cost for construction of the new pool, according to Lyle and MSA Sports remains around $4 million. "That's putting the pool on the same kind of footprint." The new pool would be in the same location as the current one but would include a zero-entry area, lap zone and a splash pad. Gone are the days of a high dive at the pool, as Lyle recounts from her childhood.
The cost of running a public swimming pool far exceeds the cost of a personal home pool. Not only is the basic upkeep of the pool and property a factor, but the village needs to pay someone to manage the pool, lifeguards to protect swimmers and repairmen for any work to be done.
"Our biggest cost would be the people, of course, and that's OK. You want good people. We have a wonderful pool manager, a long-time pool manager, Linda Jones. She is absolutely dedicated. With a larger pool, we would have to have a couple more guards, so we need to factor that in," Lyle said.
Funding and feedback
The village is still trying to gather information and the numbers to pursue fundraising for the project. Community-centered fundraising, bonds, government programs and grants are all possibilities. With no real timeline, Lyle is hopeful the pool will reach fruition.
Feedback about the project is positive, with Lyle stating village residents want to keep the pool, expand it, and add new features. There is currently no plan to turn the facility into a competition pool. "We really kept conversations around having a community pool." In 2023 the pool was open roughly 70 days with an average daily attendance of 56.
The current pool is scheduled to open May 31. Daily rates are $5 for anyone age 3 and up, infants and children up to age 2 are free, and those 65 and over can expect to pay $3. Seasonal passes are also available by visiting newconcord-oh.gov/new-concord-area-pool.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: New Concord mayor still seeking funding for new village swimming pool
