Committee recommends pavilion and site work after Greenwood indoor pool demo; Olympic pool deferred

Gardner City’s Capital Improvement Committee on April 16 recommended advancing funding for a pavilion and related site improvements tied to the planned demolition of the Greenwood indoor pool, and discussed but did not endorse proceeding now with a larger Olympic-size outdoor pool.

Committee members and planning staff said the pavilion is intended to follow the Greenwood Pool demolition to ensure the site is revitalized rather than left vacant. Jason, who presented development and planning’s requests, told the committee that the pool request included both an expansion to an Olympic-sized pool and a pavilion, and that the pavilion portion was the more immediate priority. “It’s the it’s more of the high priority for creation of the pavilion, which we’re looking to do immediately after following the Greenwood Pool demo, because they are split up into 2 separate...projects,” Jason said.

Why it matters: the Greenwood demo is tied to federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) obligations to demonstrate revitalization of slum-and-blight sites. Committee members said fund sources and grant eligibility affect how much city general fund must be committed and whether some elements should be staged across fiscal years.

Discussion and details: Jason said last year’s packet listed roughly $6.1 million for pool-related work but that the cost included multiple elements. Committee members discussed splitting the line item so the pavilion and immediate site work can be advanced as a high priority and the larger Olympic-pool expansion be listed as a lower priority or a future-phase project. One committee member said they had been “surprised” by the $6.1 million figure and suggested the pavilion itself could cost about $1.2 million, a figure other members used as a reference point during the discussion.

Funding context: Jason noted that because the demolition and follow-on work were classified under CDBG as slum-and-blight revitalization, continued use of funds on the site is expected by grant administrators: “they want to see it actually be revitalized space,” he said. Committee members also discussed applying for grants but noted many grants will not cover pools themselves and that CDBG often funds related building or facility improvements.

Next steps and direction: The committee agreed to include a pavilion/site improvement line as a high-priority item for FY26 and to consider splitting the Olympic-size pool into a separate, lower-priority line. Staff were directed to update the spreadsheet/report with clarified line items and estimated costs and to flag grant-eligible portions in the final report to the mayor and council.

Ending: The pavilion and site work will appear on the committee’s recommended priority list; the Olympic-size pool remains on the wish list pending further cost and funding clarification.