Monday night, the Bowling Green Board of Aldermen
gave approval to make repairs and get the pool
open for summer. Work started Tuesday morning,
and city officials were working on entering a
contract with Twin Pike YMCA for  services.
Water shortage, operation costs, and more
importantly, repair costs, led to the pool's
closure. Originally, the plan was to have its
gates shut one summer, then make repairs and
reopen. But that didn't happen.
In the meantime, officials have looked at the
possibility of appealing to the voters, seeking a
half-cent sales tax. Monies from such a tax, if
approved, could be used to fund a new swimming
pool complex.

But for now, that plan has taken a backseat to a
more pressing issue: What happens this season.
Koester addressed the general committee May 5,
and told them of projected costs of getting the
pool going. Estimating on the high end of costs
for chemicals, electric and workman's comp,
operating the pool will carry about a $12,000
price tag.
But, as Koester put it, that's a "worst-case
scenario".
"We think we can come in under $10,000," he said.

The YMCA will shoulder the day-to-day management,
staffing, maintenance and concessions. Renewing
the relationship with the Y, the city will put in
place an agreement in which they split any
profits above operation costs, or losses.
A few safeguards are expected to  be put in
place. One, the YMCA would have the right to
close the pool on a day when not feasible for
operation - something officials say is rare. And
two, public works manager Bo Stinnett, Alliance
Water Resources, would have the right to close
the pool if needed in order to make pressing
repairs, or maintenance.

On top of the summer costs, about $11,000 will be
needed to make repairs. Money for that is
available.
Koester said he's visited with a local supplier,
and is confident the city can get chemicals at
near cost.
In the future, Koester said he'd like to see a
new pool, but allows that will likely take four
years or more to accomplish. Until then, he feels
costs of turning an eyesore into an asset are
minimal. Eighty-five percent of repair work would
be shouldered by Alliance crews.
Additionally, Koester pointed out that numbers
are accurate.
"We could have sugarcoated these (estimates)," he
said. "I think this is a realistic number we're
looking at here."
Opening round of voting saw aldermen vote 4-2 in
favor of making repairs and reopening the pool.
Terry Burris and Jim Moore vote no. Monday
night's vote mirrored that.

Memorial Day is May 26. Typically, that's the
time public swimming pools open for the season.
With Monday night's approval, crews believe they
can have the pool open in about a month.
Summer officially starts June 20.