Our friends in Laurens are taking on a massive project. Theyve asked us to help spread the word. Heres all the info: By DANA LARSEN Pilot-Tribune Editor When the City of Laurens decided it couldnt afford to replace the aging city pool, a committee of citizens decided to take on the project themselves - all $3.25 million of it. The group first started to meet in 2012, drew up their own plan, and worked with Burbach Aquatics, a firm that has also discussed potential future pool projects with local communities Alta and Newell, to complete a design. The current pool is in such bad shape that if the group cant deliver a replacement, theres a good chance children will have no swimming in the community next summer, says Kelly Tate, committee member and parent of two members of the local youth swim team that could be left high and dry. Our existing pool was built in 1955-56. A pool is supposed to have a maximum lifespan of about 50 years, so were already way past that, she said. Its in horrible shape. A lot of the pumps are not working properly, and last season was leaking at the rate of 30,000 gallons a day. She joked that the city has the best grass ever, surrounding the leaky pool. The committee is also concerned that without a zero-depth-entry, the pool is difficult for people with disabilities to use, although the City did install a lift chair. Tate said the City has told the group that it is already at its bonding limit from other projects and cannot afford to help much financially. Our goal is to start building next summer, all through donations. Its an awful lot of money, and that is for a pretty basic pool - no fancy slides or anything. It would offer six 50-meter lanes to allow the swim team to continue. Were just a random group of citizens, people withkids in town, others who are active in community. It took about a year to get our plan formed up. There were a lot of design discussions with Burbach. We need to do this now, Tate said. The group is hoping to approach local industries for help, but first they need to raise some seed money to let everyone know know are serious. So, theyve entered into an online contest sponsored by YMCA. The project getting the most online votes gets $5,000. It doesnt sound like a lot for a $3 million-plus project, but it would be a great start, she said. Everyone can vote, free of charge, once per day on each internet-connected device they have, but voting only lasts about a week longer. This puts it out there and shows the project is real. It increases out presence. What better way to increase healthy activity in out community than a pool? The group has also established an active Facebook page and made a Youtube video explaining the project. Anyone wishing to donate may do so to: New Pool Fund, in care of the City of Laurens, 272 N. 3rd St., Laurens, IA. 50554 absolutely, we dont have a choice. if not get it done, lot of kids in town will looking. pretty good group of dedicated people. For more information see the website: mfpp.ymca.net/project/laurens-new-pool-project or the Facebook page https://m.facebook/
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:04:28 +0000
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