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Leitchfield commission OKs budget amendment to allow 20-foot umbrella, hears wide-ranging Aquatic Center update
Summary
Parks staff told the Leitchfield Tourism and Convention Commission the aquatic center needs equipment repairs, new lounge chairs and operational clarifications; the commission approved a motion to amend the budget to permit purchase of a 20-foot umbrella and discussed capacity and pump repairs.
Trent, parks and recreation staff, told the Leitchfield Tourism and Convention Commission the Leitchfield Aquatic Center (LAC) has several outstanding maintenance and operational items that staff are addressing, and the commission approved a motion to amend the current budget to allow purchase of a 20-foot shade umbrella for the pool deck.
The umbrella vendor quoted a direct price of $6,663.58 with shipping; staff said they could avoid shipping costs and purchase the unit for $6,133.58 if the tourism commission approved buying it and staff picked up the delivery. "The plan is definitely we'll have those when the season starts," Trent said, describing the lounge-chair reorder and delivery schedule. He emphasized the umbrella is a "want" intended to provide shade and reduce wear on plastic gutter grates, not a repair for the pool's mechanical systems.
The broader update included several maintenance items with cost and scheduling details. Staff said the UV-machine repair quotes (for two units) were around $6,500 and have been pushed to May because the contractor requires the pool to hold water before beginning work. Three of the facility's pumps have been pulled and rebuilt; two pumps remain to be rebuilt in the next budget year. "So that leaves 2 pumps for the next budget year to have the same thing done to them," Trent said.
Staff also reported replacing expired AED batteries on site and moving forward with the MyRec registration software for a one-year cycle beginning Oct. 1; the city is evaluating a single, citywide software solution for future years. On lounge chairs, staff said the facility began with about 250 chairs, now inventories about 175 and plans additional purchases and some surplus declarations.
On public-safety and attendance, staff reported inconsistent historical capacity numbers: a previous attendance cap of 500 was reached several times last season, some long-term staff recalled a 750 opening capacity, and a vendor engineering review estimated a much higher theoretical capacity. Staff told the commission they will open the season with a 600-person limit and adjust up or down based on lifeguard staffing and observed conditions. "We are at least going to start out at 600," Trent said.
The commission voted to allow the budget amendment that would permit purchasing the 20-foot umbrella; members discussed storage, installation sleeves and timing. The vote was taken by voice and recorded as approved by the body. Staff said if the umbrella purchase proceeds, they will pursue cost savings by picking up the unit and staging the in-ground sleeve ahead of installation.
The commission also heard that three pool pump rebuilds are complete, the remaining two are planned next budget year, and the UV repair vendor has confirmed the quoted price will be held until next spring. Staff said these mechanical repairs are the priority for pool functionality and that the umbrella purchase is discretionary and should not compete with essential repairs.
