Municipal staff got a clear message during a public meeting Tuesday evening that residents want Jaycee Pool refurbished and operating.
The meeting was called because the pool needs between $80,000 and $100,000 worth of repairs and council asked for public input. About a dozen residents, largely from the nearby neighbourhood, said the pool plays a vital role for youngsters in the city.
Bill Jackson, who’s lived in the neighbourhood for more than 30 years, says the pool and the adjacent baseball diamonds keep the area vibrant.
“We have several baseball tournaments there throughout the year and lots of parents whose children are playing also have kids who use the pool.”
The pool needs a new pool deck, gutters and trusses on the change rooms, work on the water supply leading to the facility as well as replacement of the liner which C-K Recreation Programs Manager Ann Robinson said is more than 30 years old.
“The facility is at a crossroads so we have some decisions to make,” she said.
Bob Crawford, Chatham-Kent’s manager of community development, said about $200,000 has been set aside for pool repairs in Chatham-Kent next year.
“We have the money, although it takes a chunk out of the budget,” he said. “It’s more about making sure what residents want. It’s their money.”
Blair Klonteig, a stay-at-home mom of three preschoolers, said Jaycee Pool is the ideal facility for introducing children to water, since its depth is only a few inches at the shallow end.
“We talk about bringing young families back to Chatham, well this kind of pool is something that is a real attraction,” she said. “I see young moms from all over Chatham at the pool.”
Harold Reissner said with McKeough and Memorial pools closed, Jaycee is an important resource that should be enhanced.
“Perhaps if we make more people aware of what the pool has to offer, usage will grow.”
Robinson said the municipality has only enough funds to operate the pool for an eight-week season but if circumstances change, the facility could remain open longer.
David Katzman, whose home is across from the park, said council should act quickly so the repairs can be made without losing the season.
“Generations have used the park and generations more will make use of it if we maintain it properly,” he said.
Evelyn Bish, C-K director of community services, said feedback at the meeting is exactly what is needed so staff can report to council.
“We’ve had excellent response tonight and we can report to council with full confidence regarding what residents want,” she said.
C-K councilor Marjorie Crew echoed Bish’s statement.
“It’s so much easier for council to make decisions when we know what the people want. That’s the way things are supposed to work.”
Crawford said if council makes a decision on repairs at its March 3 meeting, pre-project work would begin immediately thereafter.
“We could be facing some issues with the hard winter, but we will do our best to get the pool open by the end of June as it usually is,” he said.
