Board Chairman Ralph Conner said that while he is in favor of swimming in the city, popularity and funds for public pools has waned over the years. During the 2009 season, fewer than 7,000 people used the pool — substantially lower than in Sunset’s peak years when more than 20,000 people would go for a swim in a season.
While the park board is recommending the facility not be demolished for the time being, Conner said City Council will ultimately decide the pool’s fate and whether funding should be pursued for the 2011 season.
Residents who attended the meeting suggested donation options be placed on city water bills and said the $18,000 left from an AK Steel donation to run the pool be saved to reopen the facility.
Kimberley Combs, who lives on Kenwood Drive near Sunset Park, said the pool is important because it gives kids something healthy and fun to do in the summer.
“We pay taxes, and I hope this art center in Middletown is a big bang, but my kids need things to do and a place to go play,” she said.
Resident Steve Lewis said he would encourage neighbors to voice their opinions that Sunset Pool is a priority. And he urged the park board to come up with a plan to fund the pool.
Board member Merrell Wood said he has been contacted by parties interested in providing funding; however he said they would not come forward until the project was officially endorsed by the city.
Board member Michael Hardeman, who voted against the recommendation, said he’d rather see a detailed plan in place before deciding the fate of the pool.
“I just want to see what the future holds,” he said. “I just don’t want to see good money going to bad.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.
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