Worthington board approves MOU letting City of Worthington pursue purchase of outdoor pool site if bond passes

The Worthington Board of Education on Sept. 23 approved a memorandum of understanding that would permit the City of Worthington to acquire the district-owned outdoor pool site if a city bond issue passes and the parties finalize a purchase agreement.

The MOU, approved unanimously by the board, outlines broad terms for a $1 transfer of the land to the city if voters approve a municipal bond to fund capital replacement of the outdoor pool and related work. Under the MOU the land would revert to the district if it ceases to be used as an outdoor pool, and the city plans to lease the rebuilt facility to Swim Inc., the nonprofit that currently operates the pool.

Why it matters: The city says ownership is required to issue tax-exempt debt — which carries lower interest rates — for one-time capital replacement. The MOU is written to provide voters with a clear outline of how the transfer and shared operations would work while leaving detailed contract terms to a later purchase and lease agreement if the ballot measure succeeds.

City manager Robin Stewart, who spoke to the board, said the city would combine bond proceeds with some cash reserves and then construct a new facility on the pool footprint. “Their financial model has not provided for…