Council says ‘yes’ to new pool
Project to be funded by $2.2 million bond issue
The City of Hartselle will give its ailing 35-year-old pool facility a complete makeover.
The Hartselle City Council decided to replace the pool for $2.2 million, which will be funded by a bond issue.
The council approved the pool along with the rest of the 2011-2012 capital improvement budget and the general fund budget. The new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
Mayor Dwight Tankersley said that the city council needed to act quickly to have the new pool ready in time for opening day next year, which is usually the Memorial Day weekend.
“I’ve already contacted three architects today and all three will present architectural drawings at the next council meeting (on Sept. 26),” Tankersley said at Tuesday’s meeting. “These were the three that we contacted when we were looking at the lifestyle center.”
Council President Kenny Thompson along with Councilmen Tom Chappell, Don Hall and Bill Smelser all voted for the budgets while Councilman Mark Mizell voted against them.
“I just can’t justify us spending $2.2 million on this pool when we have a number of other projects with higher priority on our list,” Mizell said at the work session Monday. “If we have $2.2 million, I think we can make that money go a lot further.”
On Tuesday night, Mizell explained that he voted against the budget because the pool replacement was included.
“I’m 99 percent in favor of the budget,” he said.
However, Chappell said he wouldn’t support a proposal just to repair the pool as it is.
“I don’t think we should spend $500,000 just for a Band-Aid on the pool,” Chappell said. “If we’re going to fix it, let’s do it right.”
Tankersley said the $2.2 million would be used to construct two pools, a competition pool with a diving well and a zero-entry recreational pool with splash pad amenities and a lazy river. He said the design is similar to Cullman’s outdoor aquatics center.
Tankersley added that there would be enough money to build a new bath house for the pool.
This year, more than 16,000 people went to the pool, according to Park and Recreation Director Frank Miller.
“If we get a new pool especially like the one we’re proposing, we’ll get more visitors,” Smelser said. “I have a pool, but if there were splash pad amenities at this new pool, my grandkids will want to go there.”
Tankersley said the city could pay for it using the money used to pay off another bond, which will be retired this year. He also suggested that the city raise its admission prices to help offset the yearly bond issue payments.
