The city pool and changes that will need to be made to it was first on the list of items as the Newton City Council kicked off its three-day workshop Wednesday.
The workshop, held at Historic Newton Depot, is a chance for the city’s department leaders to appeal to the council for funding needs. No decisions from the council are expected during the workshop.
Newton Mayor Anne Stedman said the workshop is an opportunity to brainstorm, dare to dream and talk about wants and needs.
The city’s pool and whether to continue to fund it is something the council has had to deal with the last several years. The pool didn’t open during 2010 season but the council decided to fund and open it in 2011 and again this coming summer season.
But it will have to spend some money to make some changes if the council wants to remain in operation.
The council has given the OK for the recreation department to spend $17,500 to install two handicapped-compliant entrances to the pool. The entrances have to be different, said Sandra Waters, director of parks and recreation for the city.
Two of the options city staff have looked into are steps and a ramp, Waters said. Other options include stationary or portable lifts. Waters said the department is getting bids on steps and ramps. The department also looked into building a permanent ramp and steps but it was cost-prohibitive — $25,000 to $30,000, she said.
The cost of meeting federal standards for disabled users is something that will come up again next year, Waters said.
But whether the pool is worth the cost is something the city has been debating. Some on the council say it’s a quality of life matter while others say the money spent on the pool could be used to expand the city’s recreation programs.
Waters told the council that five community schools have signed up to regularly use the pool this coming season, as well as a church. The recreation department also is sending out letters to day care centers. The idea of sending out information on the pool season with utility bills was also discussed during the workshop.
Repairs to a lifeguard chair and new umbrellas are something also needed for the pool, say recreation officials.
The budget for the pool in 2012 is $85,250, according to information from the city.
Carol Stiles, assistant director of parks and recreation for Newton, gave an update on city recreation programs, saying many of the programs are growing. Kid’s baseball and fast-pitch softball program enrollments have declined, however.
The council is expected to hear from the police, fire and public works departments today.
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