Franklin’s pool is one of few municipally-owned pools in the area that attracts patrons from Middletown, Springboro, Germantown, Clearcreek Twp., Carlisle and Miamisburg. Many communities have opted to operate spraygrounds or splash-pads rather than operate a swimming pool due to costs. Other communities, such as Middletown, have closed their pools.
The Paul E. Fitzgerald Swimming Pool in Community Park opened in 1977. It costs more than $120,000 a year to operate the pool and expenses are covered by the city and township in addition to rentals, memberships and other revenues generated by the pool.
Over the past few months, council began discussing the pool’s current condition and reviewed information gathered by Fouts about other community pools and aquatic facilities in the region.
In June during a discussion about upgrading the park, Mayor Centers said, “We’ve ‘Band-Aided’ this (the pool) for some time… I want to see it upgraded and be part of the park plan.”
At Monday’s meeting, Centers said the Olympic-sized pool needed to be rebuilt or replaced.
“At the very least it needs resurfacing,” he said. “The concrete costs are going to be huge and well need to get bids (to replace) the pipes and pumps.”
Centers said the subcommittee will need to look at other additions such as slides and a splash-pad as well as upgrading the showers. He said building a splash-pad would show residents that council is working to make park improvements.
“There’s lots of room out there for improvements (at the park),” he said.
Councilman Todd Hall, who has been a major advocate of the pool, said the biggest issue that has concerned the Warren County Health Department sanitarians who inspect the pool periodically is the concrete breaking in places.
“They should. It’s horrible,” Centers said.
Councilman Brent Centers suggested reaching out to Carlisle officials to help with possible costs as well as checking with council about corporate sponsorships to raise funding.
“This is a good thing,” Mayor Centers said. “We want to keep this for the city and area… I’m glad we’re doing something here because it’s something we needed to address.”
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