St. Mary's reviews $3.3M–$5.3M pool replacement options; residents urge repair, not replacement

Consultants working for Councilman Hunsaker presented three replacement options for the St. Mary's public pool at the council meeting on Aug. 18, each designed to fit roughly within a $5 million budget window and range from a splash-park-focused option to a larger pool with slides and lap lanes.

The presenter, George Dinis, said the firm developed three new designs after community meetings and surveys. The options are: (1) a combined pool and splash pad with about 3,500 square feet of pool water plus an 800-square-foot splash pad (a little over 4,000 square feet of water surface) with an estimated cost just under $5,000,000; (2) a destination splash park only (no standing water) at about $3,300,000; and (3) a larger, six-lane, 25-yard pool of roughly 5,000 square feet with a water slide and multiple activity zones, estimated at about $5,300,000 in today’s dollars. Dinis said cost estimates assume reuse of the existing bathhouse with a $500,000 allowance for upgrades; full replacement of the bathhouse would raise costs.

Why it matters: Council members and members of the public said any project must consider not only construction cost but ongoing maintenance, staffing and the pool’s role in community programming. Several residents and council members pushed the city to consider refurbishing the existing facility rather than replacing it, arguing capacity and community use could be harmed by a smaller footprint.

Key details from the presentation - Lifespan and scope: Dinis said many outdoor pools typically require significant work after roughly 30–40 years; the current St. Mary's pool is about 60 years old and had a renovation roughly 20 years ago. The consultant provided an example timeline: select a design team in September 2025, complete design by April 2026, bid in May–June 2026, begin construction August 2026 and aim for a 2027 opening if funding and schedule align. - Equipment and systems: Dinis said pool estimates include pool mechanical systems (filtration, pumps, chemical feed) and pool heating for options that include standing water; splash park heating is optional but recommended as a small allowance in the figures. - Cost nuances: Dinis said splash-park vertical features often last 15–20 years and splash decks typically 20–30 years; project estimates are presented in today's dollars and would need escalation if construction starts in later fiscal years. - Refurbishment estimate: The consultant said reinforcing the existing pool shell (for example, installing new stainless-steel components) might be possible in the $3 million–$4 million range, but when deck replacement, diving-board compliance work, slide refurbishment and other repairs are included, renovation costs could approach those of a new facility.

Council and public reaction - Several council members questioned long-term operating costs and staffing. One council member noted maintenance and chemical costs rise with pool size and suggested a smaller pool with fewer lap lanes would reduce ongoing expenses. - Residents who spoke during public comment urged keeping the pool’s current footprint or refurbishing rather than building a smaller facility. Sarah DeMour, a resident, said the pool is central to her family’s summer routine and that broken heaters and reduced hours have depressed attendance: “If you fix the water and fix the hours, I do think your numbers would rise.” - Molly Redinger, who said she attends the pool nearly every nice day, encouraged officials to inspect peak-day capacity (she cited “Sunday night swims” that filled the pool) before choosing a smaller design. - Other speakers stressed the pool’s role for organized programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and asked that any reduction in capacity not impair those uses.

Budget and attendance figures cited in the meeting - Presentation figures: Option 2 (splash park) ~ $3,300,000; Option 1 (pool + splash pad) just under $5,000,000; Option 3 (larger pool) about $5,300,000 (all in today’s dollars, per presenter). - Consultant’s refurbishment estimate: roughly $3,000,000–$4,000,000 for pool shell reinforcement, with additional costs expected for deck and slide refurbishment. - Operating figures discussed during the meeting: a study excerpt shown to council listed current annual pool expenses at $182,741 and an average daily cost of about $22.01 when the facility is open. One participant referenced a higher seasonal shortfall figure; the transcript shows conflicting figures and council members asked staff for clearer accounting.

Next steps mentioned in the meeting - The consultant suggested issuing an RFQ to select a design team if the council decides to pursue replacement; the design fee is typically negotiated as a percentage of estimated construction cost. - Council members repeatedly emphasized that funding sources, ongoing operating budgets and community input would determine a path forward. Several suggested pursuing additional data (attendance by residence, detailed cost/maintenance forecasts) and exploring fundraising and grant options before committing to a design or a referendum.

Ending: At the end of the discussion council members asked staff and the consultant to collect additional data and confirm options for phased or staged work, including whether components (such as piping or mechanical allowances) could be installed now to allow future expansion to a splash pad or other features without full reconstruction.