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Macomb council accepts engineering assessment and votes to close Glenwood Pool for 2026; approves swim-lesson program with school district
Summary
After an engineering assessment found failing structural concrete and exposed rebar, the City Council voted to keep Glenwood Pool closed for the 2026 season and approved a city-run swim-lesson program to be held at Macomb High School under Megan Pittman’s direction.
Macomb’s City Council voted to close Glenwood Pool for the 2026 season after a consultant’s assessment found the pool’s supporting structural concrete is failing and short-term shoring to reopen this year would cost more than $315,000.
Alice Ortman, the public works director, summarized the TWM/Klingner assessment and cited photographs showing spalling concrete, exposed rebar and temporary shoring in place. "You can see in the pictures, they're spalling concrete, exposed rebar, temporary shoring that had been put in many years ago," she said, and reported that water flow has washed away foundation material under parts of the pool.
The council’s acceptance of the recommendation followed public comment from residents and committee members who described the pool as a long-standing community amenity. Alderman Vejessy said the facility’s closure is "a shame" but emphasized public safety, noting the pool’s long history and expressing support for pursuing a new facility or tying a replacement to a planned sports complex. Alderman Dorsett urged pragmatism, noting repeated repairs over decades and that the pool has not been financially self-sustaining.
The council also approved a proposed swim-lesson program that staff said would be run in partnership with the Macomb School District and led by Megan Pittman, who has been running the pool program in recent years. Ortman described arrangements to use the high school pool for lessons, with the city hiring instructors and Pittman serving part time to oversee lessons. City staff said estimated lifeguard and program costs are included in the FY27 proposed budget.
Council members stressed that closing the pool for the season does not foreclose future options. Staff said the city will begin discussing longer-term solutions, including possible inclusion of a pool in a sports complex development and seeking revenue through a business development district or TIF funding.
The motion to accept the consultant’s recommendation and to approve the swim-lesson program was moved and seconded; the council recorded the motion as carried by roll call ('all ayes'). The council also scheduled further discussion on long-term options and an upcoming public forum on the sports-complex project.
