Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Pool topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council accepts $10,500 donation and approves $10,170 in pool repairs; debate continues over long-term pool strategy
Summary
After residents and local businesses pledged donations, the council accepted $10,500 and authorized $10,170 in immediate repairs to the Crookston community pool; councilors raised concerns about long-term capital needs and the building's condition.
The Crookston City Council voted to accept a $10,500 donation and to authorize roughly $10,170 in immediate repairs so the Crookston community pool can reopen.
Public commenters and local volunteers told the council they had raised petitions and donations in support of keeping the pool operational. Bill Craig presented a check for $10,500 toward repair costs and said residents had gathered signatures and fundraising support; "I am pleased to present a check for $10,500 to the city toward the current repair costs," Craig said.
A city staff member described the most urgent mechanical problems: missing pipe hangers for schedule-80 PVC circulation piping, a cracked flange on the backwash side, and water-hammer vibration that damaged a flange. Staff provided an estimate that donations would cover the immediate repairs; staff reported the repair total at about $10,170 and said no additional city dollars were required for these immediate fixes.
Councilors supported taking donated funds to complete the repairs so pool programs and lessons could resume, but several members warned that the pool facility requires larger capital work. One councilor cited a two-year-old engineering report that identified immediate fixes (then estimated at $65,000–$100,000) and longer-term repairs in the $900,000–$1.2 million range, saying failure to address those items raises safety and insurance liability concerns.
The council approved the motion to accept donations and proceed with repairs by roll call. Staff said they would move ahead administratively to schedule repairs but would return with any needed formal resolutions for larger capital work and funding strategy.
Next step: staff to coordinate repairs funded by donations and report back on long-term options and potential funding mechanisms (community fundraising, budgeting or exploring a new facility).
