Council favors new pool,
sharing UMPI resources
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Councilors had much to consider Monday night, as they took up discussion on swimming pool options for the community.
Recent storm damage to the roof of the indoor pool was the first topic addressed, with City Manager Jim Bennett suggesting councilors set aside any decision at this time to allow staff to gather more information for councilors to consider at a later date.
“We can bring this back to your next meeting,” said Bennett, noting much depends on where Council goes in terms of future pool plans for the community.
Bennett then moved into discussion of four possible pool options. He indicated that “100 percent of the money (for a pool) would come from the city, and if any individuals wanted to work on raising funds,” city officials would welcome the assistance.
Chris Beaulieu, director of the Recreation and Parks Department, provided an overview of the four options councilors had to consider.
“First, once the new community center is built, the indoor pool currently in use would be closed. We’d collaborate a limited amount of programs with UMPI — the university is willing to work with us,” said Beaulieu. “As we build the new community center, we’d build a new pool with a splash center at an estimated cost of about $1 million,” which would equate to a cost of about $96,000 per year for 25 years for the city.
Beaulieu said the second option would be to close the indoor pool once the center is complete but with no plan with the university.
“We’d build a new indoor pool and outdoor interactive, at a price tag of about $3.5 million,” he said.
“The third option would be to continue operating the indoor pool as we are and build a new outdoor (pool) with splash pad. The thing that sticks out is the investment to the indoor pool,” said Beaulieu, noting over the next several years that figure would reach beyond half a million dollars.
Beaulieu said the last option would be to continue operating the indoor pool but not build any outdoor water features.
“I think my recommendation was clear; the first option is the best one,” said Beaulieu.
“This keeps a high level of service — not as high as it has been. Keeping the indoor pool would be great but investment’s necessary. We can’t have it all; this is sort of a compromise,” said Beaulieu. “The new outdoor pool — it’s clear to citizens it’s a need they want. I think the community center and outdoor pool should be made at the same time.”
Beaulieu said prices varied for splash pads, depending on the systems used — be it a drain-away system or one that circulated water. He indicated the drain-away was less expensive but required more water, whereas the circulation unit cost more up front but saved money by re-circulating water.
If councilors approve Option 1, Beaulieu said it looked likely there’d be four swimming lesson sessions a year at UMPI. “It’s very comparable. Lessons are just a small portion. I think we’ll be able to offer a comparable amount of lessons and some adult-type or rehab lessons in those hours. In the summer, we’d use our own outdoor pool for summer lessons,” said Beaulieu.
Bennett noted the only major change would be the city would no longer have a facility to offer such activities as birthday parties at the pool or access for other communities to use the facility. It would also mean swimmers using the pool for things like doing laps first thing in the morning would have to do so elsewhere. Councilor Craig Green suggested a membership at the Presque Isle Inn pool as an alternative.
Green said the number of people who visit the outdoor pool when it’s open and the intensive use it gets is unlike other communities.
“I think it’s important to replace due to the use it sees,” said Green.
Councilors discussed the various options and the pros and cons of each. Councilor Emily Smith had reservations about building a new pool any time soon, citing the $1 million-plus pricetag and concerns that donors were in short supply. Bennett advised the pool and community center were two separate projects and fund-raising efforts wouldn’t be connected.
“I’m afraid if we don’t have a pool, we won’t get a community center,” said Bennett. But he said if the pool was added to the community center project, the vast majority of the fund-raising committee would find the task to raise necessary funds too daunting and leave.
Green said the “price of the pool was miniscule compared to what it will bring to the economy of Presque Isle.”
Green said the pool and splash pad would be “free to taxpayers but not the entire world. Out-of-town people will be asked to contribute.”
“It’s tough to ask for money, but we need to give them (community center fund-raising commitee) the best chance to raise money,” Green said, noting having an outdoor pool will serve as a selling point when trying to raise funds for the center.
Councilor Mike Chasse said building an outdoor pool and closing the indoor pool would actually save money in the long run.
“For me it’s an extra $100,000 a year to operate the indoor pool, vs. $35,000 for an outdoor pool,” said Chasse. Closing the indoor pool would cut maintenance costs, among other expenses, since the city would not have to pay for such by using UMPI’s facility.
Lucy Richard, co-chair of the community center fund-raising committee, stressed the importance of swimming lessons and the need for an outdoor pool where children attend several lessons a week.
“Kids have gone from several lessons a week to one, using UMPI’s pool this summer. No kid can learn to swim in seven lessons,” said Richard.
Green noted that “capital costs eventually go away,” with the community gaining access to an outdoor facility and indoor pool.
“This addresses year-round issues and summer issues. But the final piece we’re missing this summer are the number of children who can’t afford to go to the indoor pool,” said Green, making the motion to approve Option 1 as proposed by staff, with a second by Councilor Pete Hallowell. Councilors unanimously approved the vote.
