2012YearPhotos

New pool's cost to exceed levy PDF Print E-mail
Written by HAROLD BROWN Sentinel City Editor   
Wednesday, 25 July 2012 09:37
Ew_CityPoolMeet_rotator
File photo. Tim Stubbs, facilities coordinator for BG Parks and Recreation, points out an area of the city pool during a meeting to unveil a concept and discuss the pool's renovation. (Photo: Enoch Wu/Sentinel-Tribune)
The final plan for Bowling Green's new aquatic facility at City Park is being translated into construction drawings, the city's Board of Parks and Recreation was told Tuesday night.
"Brandstetter Carroll has the input from the staff and the final construction plans are being prepared right now. The bid specifications for the demolition of the existing pool are being picked up by contractors. Bids will be opened Aug. 3," Facilities Coordinator Tim Stubbs said.
Demolition could start as early as the end of August. The pool will operate through Aug. 19.
Stubbs said it has been a challenge keeping the pool operating this summer, with a $300 pump in the chlorine system being the latest headache. He said the maintenance costs have not been as high as a year ago. Heavy use due to the hot weather has strained the filtration and disinfection systems. Receipts for daily pool admissions are running about 10 percent ahead of 2011.
The pool has developed an underground leak that is creating the need to add several inches of water about twice a week.
The construction drawings should be available for contractors by the end of July. Bids will be opened late in August. Construction of the new complex should begin in September. Completion is anticipated in time to open about July 1, 2013, if the weather cooperates.
Stubbs indicated the projected cost is $4.25 million, which is more than the $4 million the levy approved by voters earlier this year. That will mean some features, such as the $100,000 speed slide, will be bid as an alternate. The supporting infrastructure for the slide will be built with the idea of adding the feature later.
Fund-raising efforts are being planned, such as a "Rock the Pool One Last Time" on Aug. 19. Tickets will be $25 per person with proceeds going for a splash feature in the pool. The event will feature music by Dangerous Cliff and a picnic.
The project will include the lazy river, splash pad with lots of sprays, activity pool with water toys that squirt and drop water, lap lane pool, slides and a diving well and boards.
The plan is posted on the BG Parks and Recreation Facebook site.
Board members discussed some features of the pool and learned the new concession stand will be open only to the interior of the complex.  
The board also:
• Learned improvements to Needle Hall in City Park should be completed by the end of September.
• Heard Mayor Richard Edwards encourage the board to get organized to promote a campaign to renew the parks and recreation levy in 2013.
• Learned the BG Board of Education has been formally asked to consider and alternative route for the trail to the Community Center.
 

Comments  

 
# 2012-07-25 09:46
No surprise.
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# 2012-07-25 11:24
Bad news for the new water park! Doesn't this feel like there was some poor planning on the park board's part? I'm sure the swim club will still get their dandy new facility though.
Perhaps we could place collection jars out a year-round facility for the adults.
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# 2012-07-25 13:15
Talk about screwing the public. I knew this City Park Pool commision is all talk and no total costs. The citizens of BG thought this was the best idea and now the real story is here. Not enough money in the pot huh? Now you won't be having all the hoop-la they said they would have. Tax Payers beware. They could have put the pool out to the Community Center and had full year use. Now it won't be opend until July 2013, The summer is almost over by that time. Give me a break.
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# 2012-07-25 14:31
I think they need to look at locations closer than the "Community Center" for an indoor pool. I would rather see a facility that far more people can access by foot, year-round, than continue to hide things on the most physically extreme edge of the city limits. The bike paths to it are a laughable attempt to gloss over the incredible problems the facility has, with regard to accessibility. Likewise, the community clearly seems to want and enjoy an outdoor pool. I would rather see the foundations laid, and have them sell hot dogs and cookies to pay off the remaining items.
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# 2012-07-25 14:37
The pool at the "community" center is a bad idea. End of Discussion.
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# 2012-07-25 16:03
Give them an inch and they take a mile. A replacement pool would be nearly half the cost. I cant believe that tax payers/voters are so clueless. Most people I talk to think its alright because its "for the kids". I am sick of paying higher taxes for others to have recreation oppurtunities. Its not my job to make sure there is a pools and parks to recreate at.
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# 2012-07-26 09:56
No you give me a break! Who do you think uses the pool the most? Children! These children walk to the pool every single day and if the pool were moved anywhere else I guarantee that our profits would drop drastically. A nine year old is not going to walk out to the community center to swim. In addition, this city certainly doesn't need ANOTHER indoor facility. Yes I did say ANOTHER. The BGSU Rec Center has a giant indoor swimming facility that is almost empty between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm. Frankly I do think that this new pool is going to cost a lot to build but the point of building a new pool is so that generations of Bowling Green citizens to come can enjoy a safer and more functional place to swim that is still accessible by all age groups.
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# 2012-07-25 14:35
Sounds to me they had all these grandiose ideas with champaign tastes on a beer pocketbook
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# 2012-07-25 15:13
Again; why can't you JUST build a nice replacement POOL and be done with it? Just replacment POOL!!! You're over budget because of all the other CRAP you THINK you need for the project! JUST A POOL!!! THAT'S ALL WE NEED!!
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# 2012-07-25 15:38
Quoting Harry:
Again; why can't you JUST build a nice replacement POOL and be done with it? Just replacment POOL!!! You're over budget because of all the other CRAP you THINK you need for the project! JUST A POOL!!! THAT'S ALL WE NEED!!


True and good point. It sounds more like a waterpark. If I want a waterpark I will go to one of the many in the area. Pool for swimming only please!
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# 2012-07-25 15:58
Right on!
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# 2012-07-25 17:58
I so agree with Jen and Harry!!! WE are a small city not one who needs a water park!! My kids grew up living at the park and it was just fine. Just a replacement pool needed. I'm sure you could find a better use for our tax payer dollars.
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# 2012-07-25 16:11
In the immortal words of nancy Pelosi, we need to build the pool to see how much it will cost. Another BG disaster. what next, a trail to nowhere?
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# 2012-07-25 16:55
First off, I would not spend a nickel on that concession stand. Any small business owner will tell you to capture ALL THE CUSTOMERS YOU CAN,not restrict your business to a fenced in area for swimming. Turn this part of the project over to private enterprise.
2nd. Build the basic pool, bath house and pumping facility, scrape the rest of the project. Provide something (zero depth) activity for the little ones.
NOW YOU WILL COME IN UNDER BUDGET AND ON TIME.
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# 2012-07-25 17:08
Shocker. This city would spend $10 on a wooden nickle.
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# 2012-07-25 17:30
They just said the pool is over budget before a shovel full of dirt is turned, and the park board is aleardy asking for another levy. We should try to be like toledo and have 7 or more levys to vote on
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# 2012-07-25 17:30
They just said the pool is over budget before a shovel full of dirt is turned, and the park board is aleardy asking for another levy. We should try to be like toledo and have 7 or more levys to vote on
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# 2012-07-25 18:30
You get a nice bill for this overpriced funpark ... wait until electric bills jump up 30% next year
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# 2012-07-26 08:44
Geez, all of the manufactured outrage here. The anticipated cost is about 8% over what was planned, and the folks who are responsible will very likely find a way to make the budget work. And is the world going to end if the new pool opens a month late? I'm looking forward to this improvement in BG, and I'm glad to read in the S-T that planning is ongoing.
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# 2012-07-26 08:47
Enough is enough, it's time we took control of our town back from these idiots. levy after levy raises our taxes again and again and what do we have to show for it? nothing no job creation no public transit nothing that would draw people to wanna visit , live, or work here. but they keep raising the cost to live to the point where people will move away instead of calling this great town home.
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# 2012-07-26 13:05
You guys are allright. But someone in town voted for this stupid suggestion to build awater-park. Now pay the devil his due. But remember there are other levies coming up that will be up and do you want your taxes to go higher? Shame on the ones who voted this through. Maybe BG can just make those people who want this park to pay on it. When is it going o stop people? Oh gee do we have another levy or go back to just a simple pool?
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# 2012-07-26 16:08
It would be great if all you whiners, complainers, and other just plain depressing people would just move out of the City. It is a free country, you can move to another City or town and complain there. Thanks!
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# 2012-07-27 18:36
yes it is a free country Jeffrey, and we have the right to express an opinion about the waste and corruption in this city. Its amazing when anyone speaks out against your utopia, you ask us to move. You will get your wish, when the opportinty presents itself I'm gone. and to beat you to it, good riddance. OH to see BG in the rear view mirror one last time.
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# 2012-07-26 21:58
This was a bait and switch from the get go. They promoted this as a need to replace an aging pool. Now it is an overblown water park. If you can't stay within the $4 MILLION budget you are extracting from all of us, then CUT THE PLANS for heaven's sake. No one is going to die for lack of a $100,000 speed slide. Such nonsense.

Taxpayers of BG, let's send them a message. Tell them you are tired of frivolous spending; tired of trails to nowhere; tired of hands endless reaching into our pockets. Vote NO on the next levy. These people won't get it until they are told NO.
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# 2012-07-27 08:56
Wasn't the original projected cost $3.2 million? Now its $4.2 million? WE are talking about millions of dollars folks. For a pool. That should cost about $150,000 in concrete. $100,000 in equipment. I'm not seeing millions. WE need an independent audit for this project and keep closer tabs on our money.
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# 2012-07-27 10:16
I love how people are throwing the trail in there with the pool issue...zing.. Like I said go live somewhere that has nothing to offer the citizens. You can live in a garbage city and pay low taxes.
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# 2012-07-27 16:56
The trail to nowhere was mentioned because it is another example of frivolous and unnecessary spending. I don't see anything wrong with questioning the need to offer the citizens a $4.2 Million dollar water park, rather than a public pool.
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# 2012-07-27 11:13
By the strictest conservative line of thought, there is zero justification for a pool at all. Nor the community center. Nor the parks actually. Lets also shut down the Libraries, if people want to read, let them buy the books. And why do we close public roads for these car shows and art festivals? Such a disgrace.

The community has generally approved of such "quality of life" items as the pool. If people can't make their case and win at the ballot box, they need to learn to deal with it, not destroy things post-election, out of bitterness and denial. Even if most didn't vote, it remains that most who did, wanted this. You don't get do-overs for lack of attendance....or BGSU football would have a better home record.
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# 2012-07-27 17:02
Pointing out that it is ridiculous for them to be spending more than the levy will bring in does not equate to bitterness or denial. It is the voice of reason.
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# 2012-07-27 18:39
I have no problem with everything you mentioned, just find a way to pay for it without property or income taxes.
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