Nelsonville council orders second structural opinion, schedules public meeting on aquatic center

Nelsonville City Council on June 22 directed the city manager to secure a second independent structural engineering opinion and to commission a geotechnical site study for the Nelsonville Aquatic Center, citing engineering findings that identified large voids under the pool shell.

Council action followed public comments and committee discussion about the pool’s condition and safety. Lynn Bishop, who said she had spoken with city staff previously, told the council she had come specifically "to know what's going on" with the pool and urged timely information for residents. A council member described a prior inspection that found voids beneath the pool and said the structural engineer advised that "the shell of the pool, the concrete portion, needs to come out" to assess conditions beneath it.

Why it matters: engineers who inspected the pool reported substantial voids and structural concerns that affect not only the pool shell but potentially adjacent buildings, including the pump house. Council members said those findings mean the city cannot rely on surface repairs alone and needs both a second structural opinion and a geotechnical study to determine whether the existing site can safely support a repaired pool or would require replacement.

Discussion and costs: council members and residents discussed the scale of possible repairs or replacement and funding options. Participants referenced early cost estimates ranging from roughly $2.5 million to $3.5 million as preliminary, unverified figures; grant applications are pending but the city has not received awards yet. Grant writer Michelle Denington said the city is pursuing state and regional grant opportunities; she cited ongoing outreach to Buckeye Hills Regional Council and the Nelsonville Community Foundation and noted an Ohio Public Works infrastructure grant deadline of Aug. 28 for utility-related projects.

Next steps: the council unanimously approved a motion directing the city manager to obtain a second structural engineering report and to proceed with geotechnical testing of the pool site. Council members and staff said they will publish the engineering and geotechnical scope once procured and hold a dedicated public meeting on July 14 to present findings and discuss options. The council emphasized the work is intended to clarify whether the pool can be stabilized or whether replacement and relocation should be considered.

Public safety: speakers raised immediate safety concerns about people swimming in the Hocking River after the pool’s closure. Fire department and council representatives said the department has increased water-rescue readiness but urged community caution and asked the public to avoid river swimming while the city pursues longer-term pool options.

The council scheduled follow-up steps for staff to report procurement and testing timelines and to post materials and meeting notices for the July 14 public forum.