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Cooleemee commissioners reject delay, leave bathhouse demolition decision intact
Summary
At a Sept. 10, 2024 special meeting, Town of Cooleemee commissioners voted 3–2 against postponing demolition of the pool bathhouse, leaving in place an Aug. 28 decision that accepted a demolition bid and referenced a $29,000 contract. The board adjourned after the vote.
At a special called meeting on Sept. 10, 2024, the Town of Cooleemee commissioners refused to delay demolition of the pool bathhouse, voting down a motion to postpone and thereby sustaining an Aug. 28 decision to accept a demolition bid the board referenced as $29,000.
Commissioner Ferrell, who requested the meeting, urged the board to reconsider the earlier vote and explore fundraising and refurbishment as alternatives to demolition. She said she respected the board’s prior decision but argued that "the $29,000 could go towards that refurbishment." Commissioner Tippett, who said she missed the Aug. 28 meeting, asked for another 2–3 months to explore options including extending grant funds and repurposing interior space for breakout rooms or homeschool activities.
Opposition centered on the lack of a concrete plan and possible contractual obligations. Commissioner Reavis said he "needed to hear a real reason to keep and spend the funds to refurbish," noting prior requests for the Community Center had not produced a viable solution. Commissioner Almond warned the board not to count on the $29,000 for refurbishment because the town had, in his view, effectively agreed to pay for demolition after the prior vote.
Mayor Jeff Smith responded to questions about whether another vote was needed to accept the #2 bid, saying the Aug. 28 action was to accept that bid and move forward. He said he had consulted "SOG, the Attorney, and other officials" and that he "sees no reason the board should overturn that vote," adding that overturning prior decisions would set a dangerous precedent.
Commissioner Tippett moved to postpone the demolition to allow more information and further discussion about the Community Center location; Commissioner Ferrell seconded. The motion failed 2–3, with Commissioners Tippett and Ferrell voting to postpone and Commissioners Reavis and Almond opposed; Mayor Smith voted against the postponement, which sustained the earlier decision to accept the demolition bid.
After the failed postponement motion the board approved a motion to adjourn; that motion carried 4–0 and the meeting concluded without reversing the Aug. 28 demolition decision.
