The City of Albion Parks Board during a special session on Tuesday voted to fill the pool in with dirt. The reason is based on safety concerns in and around the pool.
The Albion Pool has operated at a loss of $170,000 between 2018-22.
Some issues include a water main collapse. Officials say that to repair that, they would have to completely demolish the current pool. Attendance being down in recent years has not helped the situation according to the mayor. A new liner was installed in 2020 and with the repairs needed, the pool would need to be at minimum a minimum of $1.2 million, quoted in 2019. $4,000 is the cost to dig up the concrete, fill it with dirt, plant grass, and prepare it for future use. Jeff Guisesite Construction won the bid for the work.
Mike Speir Construction will be remodeling the restrooms and the concession area at a cost of $6,680. With the renovations, the baseball, softball, and soon new soccer complex will have access to working restrooms at the park.
The board passed on a few updates in Playground equipment. The city says they are working on raising funds to put in new equipment and recycling the current equipment that was installed in 2007 and moving closer to the all diamonds. The quote on the new equipment was around $300,000. RPI therapy and the city have been working on the plans for the new equipment.
For the soccer field complex, officials are working on leveling the field and getting it ready for the potential to host travel soccer games as well as junior high and high school soccer events.
A new park commissioner was sworn in on the Parks Board during the special meeting. Kenyon Bailey was sworn in as a trustee on the board. Bailey was appointed to the position by Mayor Harris.
In new business, the parks board is looking into putting in a pickleball court on the south end of the park where the tennis courts currently are. Officials feel 2 to 3 courts may fit in the area. The city is looking into the costs of what it will take all together to fund the courts. During the meeting, Mayor Harris made mention that he has had more requests for pickleball courts instead of new tennis courts.
$195,000 in what is currently available in the parks department fund according to the city.