Macomb, IL – Fewer than 20 people attended Wednesday night's hearing conducted by the Macomb Pool Committee.
Those in attendance got to look at photos of the swimming facilities in other communities. Those facilities include aquatic centers, splash parks, and pools.
The committee also presented photos of the deteriorating conditions at Glenwood Pool. In addition, various shots were taken of potential sites for a new pool, including Patton and Downing Parks. A different location within Glenwood Park is also being considered.
The pool committee hopes to offer its recommendations within the next three to four weeks. It plans to make those suggestions public at a joint meeting of the city council and park board.
You can listen to reporters interview pool committee member Chuck Wrenn by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*Pool committee member Gil Belles says another possibility is to offer swimming at Spring Lake Park. It would cost little to set up a beach and it would allow for other activities to be offered, such as canoe, sailboat and kayak lessons.
*The park district's 80-acre University Drive site is being ruled out because there won't be enough room for a swimming facility and parking once all the ball diamonds and soccer fields are built.
*One idea being reviewed is to build a pool and community center at the same location. The committee is also considering ideas for programming at the new facility and how it should be marketed.
*Committee members feel Glenwood Pool has just a few years left. Here is a brief history of Glenwood Pool:
1923 - the first pool is built
1942 - a new pool is built in the existing one
1952 - operation of the pool is turned over to the park district
1961-62 - major renovations are done to the pool
1982 - major renovations are done to the pool and an aluminum liner is added
1998 - the pool is closed for the entire year
1999 - another pool renovation is done