Bowling Green voters Tuesday told city officials to move ahead with a new aquatic facility at City Park.

The 0.6-mill bond issue gained a 57.65 percent positive response, or 2,709 yes votes to 1,989 no votes.

"Congratulations, that’s our Bowling Green for you," Mayor Richard Edwards said as he rose to
thank pool committee members gathered around a table at Grounds for Thought. There were hugs and
handshakes all around.
"It’s a great victory," said Dr. Michelle Grigore, director of parks and recreation. "This
is over the moon. I’m appreciative to the voters, the volunteers and the hard-working committee. It was
all so positive," she said.
Probably the biggest smiles of satisfaction were on the faces of Pool Committee Co-Chairpersons Jodi and
Dave Anderson. Since city council agreed to place the issue on the ballot last fall they have led a
group of volunteers and donors numbering more than 100 in promoting the cause.
The decision to go to the ballot followed more than six years of surveys, studies and reviews that also
included the possibility of an indoor pool at the BG National Guard Training and Community Center.
"We looked at this and decided that the best option we could have the voters consider was the
outdoor project. Apparently that was the right choice," Jodi Anderson said. She said the committee
has no plans to put an indoor pool project up for a vote.
Tuesday’s vote means the committee and city officials have a tight time line to have the project ready to
go to bid in late summer. Demolition of the existing complex could be done by early fall and some
construction can begin.
"Because of the new zoning for the parks we have a 30-day review for new construction in the
parks," Grigore said. She said notice of the start of that review will go out in a few days. The
plans will be reviewed, changes considered and there will be a time period for written comments.
"Then we have to sell the note, hire an architect for the final pool design and to prepare the bid
packet. Bids should be back in August and we can start demolition by September. It is really a tight
time line," Grigore said.
No longer in the plans is an early end to the 2012 pool season. Grigore said she sees no way timing would
allow any work before lifeguards head back to school after the third week in August. At this point there
are no promises about an opening date for the 2013 pool season.
A repeat of this winter’s mild weather would probably be welcome.