Bowling Green voters will likely be asked in 2012 what type of new aquatic facilities they will support
with a bond issue.
The city’s Board of Parks and Recreation Tuesday night decided to move forward with the key question
being whether to just replace the existing City Park facility or also build an indoor pool at the
Community Center. The outdoor project has an estimated cost of $4.8 million, with the combined projects
costing approximately $15 million.
Estimates are from a 2009 study by Brandstetter Carol Inc., of Cincinnati.
The park staff has recommended moving ahead with both projects, based on citizen surveys, public meetings
and citizen comments. "The indoor pool trumped the outdoor pool in the 2010 survey," Dr.
Michelle Grigore, director of parks and recreation, told the board. "The staff at the community
center has people asking ‘when are you going to build a pool’ all of the time. People have told us to
stop asking and taking surveys, they’ve told us what they want." She acknowledged that either
option "will be a huge expense for the community."
Board member Hobart Johnson said the board has a lot of data, which among other things shows that use of
the outdoor pool today is half of what it was 10 years ago. "We don’t need another public forum on
the pool. We already have that. But we have to determine what people will support."
Chairperson Mike Rywalski suggested the issues ought to be separate. "I think people will probably
support the outdoor. We should move forward and get more input."
Member Jodi Anderson acknowledged the "nostalgia factor" of the outdoor pool. "The board
has indicated it has no intent to close the city park pool but we have to address that aging
facility."
Member Karen Rippey said she favored separate ballot issues and noted that there are three indoor pools
in the community: BGSU, Wood Lane and Wood County Hospital. Grigore said the last she checked there was
a 100-person waiting list to use the hospital’s therapy pool.
Member Cheryl Windisch questioned if the community would support two pools, especially with so many
economic problems. "The community has been so supportive with the library, school, fire levy and
health department. I was amazed. We have to talk about needs and wants. Do we really need two pools? The
cost of operating a year around pool will be a lot greater than a three-month pool."
Grigore said she is seeking estimates from three local consulting firms to inspect the city park pool and
facilities this spring. Inspections will determine building safety and expected lifespan.
City council would have the final say about whether a levy request makes the ballot.
The board also:
¥ Approved 2011 softball tournament and league fees.
¥ Learned $2,000 is available for support programs this year. Details about applications will be
announced in February.
¥ Heard that the Final 50 effort for the Save the Woods project actually raised $75,000.
¥ Learned the Parks and Recreation Foundation has a brick campaign to build an endowment for the upkeep
of Simpson Garden Park. Bricks will cost $150, with $100 going to the endowment.