Officials discuss whether to extend '08 pool season

Friday, March 7, 2008

Should Greencastle keep its swimming pool open until Labor Day?

That was the question posed at this week's meeting of the Greencastle Park Board.

Parks and Recreation Director Rod Weinschenk told the board that the city has experimented with this in the past but decided it was not feasible for a variety of reasons.

One, he said a majority of his staff, which includes lifeguards and management, are students and must return to classes in mid-August.

Second, when the pool was kept open until Labor Day -- a few years ago -- attendance was so low that the parks department didn't make any money.

The proposal got mixed reaction from members of the park board, but those who expressed their opinions in the public meeting agreed not to rule out trying it again.

The question of whether the city pool is in existence simply to make money or whether it is a public service was raised.

It was suggested that the pool be open just on the weekends, once school starts again. Board members took no official action on the matter.

But Weinschenk told the board that he is willing to give the idea another look.

Meanwhile, Weinschenk informed the board that plans for a disc golf course at Big Walnut Community Park are continuing to develop. Last month, he asked the board for permission to hire an individual from Bloomington to help with designing the nine-hole course.

This week, he told the board he was moving ahead with hiring the consultant to design the course.

The disc golf course is one of several improvements to be made this year at the south end of Big Walnut Sport Park.

The city will install a playground, butterfly garden and walking path to enhance the newly acquired park, using grant money from the state Dept. of Natural Resources.

In other business, the board:

* Announced that it is updating its five-year plan and is seeking input from the public as to what services they would like to see the parks department offer. Weinschenk is in the process of updating the plan to submit to the state for acceptance.

* Learned that the city has turned over the necessary land appraisals to INDOT for the People Pathways Phase III, Albin Pond Trail. The city cannot begin purchasing land necessary for the fitness trail until this step is completed.

* Learned that Area 30 students will be partnering with the Friends of the Park for a fitness event May 8, using the Fillmore Link of People Pathways.

* Learned that a design for a sign for the new Mary's Field Park, located on the east side of Greencastle City Hall, has been submitted to the designer. Organizers of the park are also planning to install a new split rail fence at the park.

* Learned that due to wet conditions, work on the former Clearwaters' property, located next to Robe-Ann Park, has been delayed. The parks department bought the land to include in the park. Officials are planning to plant grass and trees to beautify the area.

The Greencastle Park Board meets at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, at city hall.

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  • Considering the children go back to school during the hottest period of the summer, the pool should be open after school and on weekends until Labor Day; or beyond if weather permits.

    You can't tell me the parks department isn't getting state and local funding to heip with maintainence cost. So, money shouldn't be the issue here.

    -- Posted by WONDER on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 4:36 PM
  • Let it be weather trend permitting, until the water temperature drops. Then close it up.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:17 PM
  • Most definitely - after school hours and weekends until the water temperature drops.

    -- Posted by Scripted Spontaneity on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 8:34 PM
  • Close it up and see where the families go. Think......go east!

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Wed, Mar 12, 2008, at 7:49 AM
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