Maquoketa council pulls plug on outdoor swimming pool

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By Sheri Melvold | Friday, October 10, 2008 12:29 AM CDT | () comments

MAQUOKETA, Iowa — Maquoketa will not have an outdoor pool next year or for several years to come.

Maquoketa City Council members, in a 5-1 vote, agreed this week to close the pool permanently. Council member Jason Hute voted against it.

The state pool inspector issued a report listing 15 major problems with the outdoor pool, built in 1972.

Maquoketa’s indoor pool opened a year ago a few blocks away and is managed by the Maquoketa Area Family YMCA.

Earlier this year, residents asked that the outdoor pool remain open during the summer. The Y pool is open year-round.

Council members cited an operating deficit of $25,000 beyond the city’s budget. Residents raised $25,000 and the city opened the pool on a limited basis under Y management during the summer.

Near the end of the season, the state pool inspector and county health director visited the pool.

One of the major issues cited was the pool drain. In 2007, a federal law required a change in pool drains after a youngster was injured in a Minnesota pool.

Other issues were deterioration of a building housing chemicals and safety concerns in the bath house.

American Fence and Pool provided a rough estimate of $78,000 for repairs, not including a pump or pool heater, which also were not working.

Hute, who headed up the community fundraiser to keep the pool open, said the council should update the pool.

“I believe the pool is an important resource for the community. It’s not competition for the Y because it’s only open in the summer. People on the committee are looking at grants. The estimate is $78,000 and it would last for 10 years,” Hute said.

Mayor Tom Messerli pointed out it isn’t just the repairs; the city doesn’t have the money to make up the operating budget shortfall.

Council member Galen Saunders said the city doesn’t have money to put away for a new pool.

“The original idea was to replace the outdoor pool,” Saunders said. “The city doesn’t have the money to support two pools.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

POOL NUMBERS

Maquoketa Area Family YMCA operated the city’s outdoor pool from June 13 to Aug. 12, Sunday through Friday.

There were 4,688 swimmers during the season. Camp Shalom brought 2,469 swimmers. There were 2,002 Y members and 217 day passes issued. The total included 35 to 40 children from Sunshine Preschool and Day Care each day.

Mark Proeschel, YMCA manager, said the pool was not heated because the equipment would not work. Outside groups offered concessions for the first four weeks and vending machines were used the rest of the time.

Total revenue was $8,060 and expenses $37,192, for a net loss of $29,132. The city kicked in $6,500 for administration and $3,197 of pool chemicals already on hand. Residents donated $25,000. After the subsidies, $5,565 remained in the account.