Neighbors urge city to close a $150,000 gap and reopen Meadowlane Pool

Dozens of neighborhood residents and nonprofit leaders appealed to the City Council on Aug. 3 for a one‑time contribution to help reopen Meadowlane Pool, a long‑running community amenity that closed after state‑required repairs left a capital shortfall.

"Please vote yes. Don't let the 60 year legacy die," Angie Castle, president of the Meadowlane Park Association, told the council, describing the pool as a neighborhood anchor where generations learned to swim and families gathered. Jude Werner, the pool campaign’s certified fundraising executive, said the nonprofit has raised the bulk of the money and is roughly $150,000 short of completing construction and re‑opening next spring.

Multiple speakers described the pool’s shift to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit model, engineering work underway to address structural issues, in‑kind donations from contractors, and broad community fundraising. Shannon Castillo, the association treasurer and a nonprofit finance professional, said the pool’s new long‑term business model diversifies revenues (less reliance on memberships) and aims to maintain financial discipline to avoid future city operating‑cost burdens.

Not all council members expressed unqualified support: Councilman Doodin noted the council must weigh whether a city contribution to a privately operated pool competes with city‑owned pools and public amenities. The council did not take a final vote on Meadowlane funding during the hearing; public testimony was entered into the record for council consideration before the delayed final budget decision on Aug. 24.