Saint Mary's council hears three pool replacement options, residents urge preserving capacity

Council members and residents spent the bulk of a meeting weighing whether to replace or refurbish Saint Mary's aging outdoor community pool after a presentation that laid out three new-construction options and cost ranges.

George Dynas, who said he works for Councilman Hunsaker, summarized updates to a swimming-pool feasibility study and presented three alternatives. Option 1 couples a roughly 3,500-square-foot pool with an 800-square-foot splash pad and uses the existing bathhouse with about a $500,000 allowance for updates; Dynas said that package comes in "just under $5,000,000." Option 2 would build a destination splash park (wet deck, no standing water) with an estimated all-in cost of about $3,300,000. Option 3 would provide a larger, six-lane, 25-yard pool with a water slide and four activity zones; Dynas said that option came to about $5,300,000 in today's dollars.

Dynas also told the council that a renovation of the existing pool shell is possible and that an assessment indicates reinforcing the current pool could fall in a roughly $3,000,000–$4,000,000 range, but that deck replacement, mechanical upgrades, slide refurbishment and modern diving-board compliance add costs that can push renovation close to new-build levels. He outlined a possible schedule if the council chooses to proceed: issue an RFQ for a design team, complete design in roughly six to seven months, bid the project the following spring and, if all goes quickly, begin construction in August 2026 for a 2027 opening.

Councilors and residents pressed several operational details. Questions included whether heaters were included (Dynas said pool heating and related equipment are included in the pool-cost estimates), how staffing and lifeguards would be affected, and whether the existing pool could be adapted rather than replaced. Council discussion cited attendance and operating figures from the study; one participant urged a referendum so voters could decide whether to increase taxes to pay for a new facility.

Several residents told the council the pool serves as an essential community amenity. Sarah Demore, a resident who said she moved to Saint Mary's with three children, asked the council to "please try to find a way to make this happen," and added, "When I think of a summer without the pool, I don't know how I would survive it with 3 children." Molly Redinger said heater failures this past season appeared to reduce turnout and urged the council to consider preserving the pool footprint and capacity, noting busy days when the pool is full.

Speakers cited operating numbers discussed in the feasibility materials: the study reported current annual operating expense of $182,741 and suggested break-even membership would require substantially higher participation. Critics asked whether the city could instead invest that money elsewhere and questioned the long-term fiscal impact; supporters emphasized youth programming and the pool's seasonal role for families and the Boys & Girls Club.

No formal vote was taken on a specific pool option at the meeting. Council members and staff said the next steps would be to select a working budget or plan to pursue, gather more detailed cost and usage data, explore fundraising and grant possibilities, and, if directed, issue an RFQ for design services.