Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Playbook Op Aquatics topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council president: Committee votes to keep regional-pool model; Blue Jacket not to be rebuilt
Summary
Council President Melissa Cheatham told the council the Committee of the Whole voted 7–5 to continue the 2013 regional pool model, deciding not to rebuild Blue Jacket Pool and to phase out Stonegate Pool over about 10 years; she urged residents to engage in design of a new park at the Blue Jacket site.
Melissa Cheatham, council president, told the council the Committee of the Whole voted 7–5 to continue Overland Park's regional-pool model and to defer rebuilding Blue Jacket Pool. "In a vote of 7 to 5, the committee voted not to rebuild Blue Jacket Pool and to close Stonegate Pool at the end of its useful life about 10 years from now," Cheatham said, reflecting the committee's direction after months of community deliberation.
Cheatham acknowledged the decision will disappoint residents who supported community pools and emphasized that staff will begin a park-design process for the Blue Jacket site later this year and invited public input: "As we start that design process, please look for opportunities to share your input." She also noted the committee's action differs from the Playbook OP steering committee's unanimous recommendation and said the final Playbook OP draft is expected before the governing body this fall.
The exchange came amid public comment earlier in the meeting criticizing the council's handling of the aquatics options and alleged disregard for community survey results. Cheatham framed the committee vote as the product of the Committee of the Whole's deliberations and encouraged continued resident engagement during the design phase rather than signaling a final closure of discussion.
