The city and the YMCA of McDonough County reached an agreement for the YMCA to continue managing the city's aging Glenwood Pool. The contract calls for the city to pay the YMCA $5,000, which is an increase of $2,000 from this past season.
“I think they hoped that it might take a little less involvement on a daily basis to manage the facility, and I think they found out that some of their staff was needed there a little more frequently than they had anticipated,” said Mayor Mike Inman.
“I think it’s reasonable for them to come and say, ‘Hey, we’d like to renegotiate this, talk about what this is actually costing us.’”
The city will make its payments in three installments:
- $3,000 will be paid within 30 days before the pool opens for the season
- $1,000 between June 15 and June 22 if the pool remains operational
- $1,000 between July 15 and July 22 if the pool remains operational
“In the event – and we’re not wishing for this by any means – if we have a catastrophic event that would close the pool for the season, part of their management duties would not be needed any longer and under those circumstances I think we’ve done a good job of addressing that,” Inman said.
The city will also reimburse the Y for the cost of the pool manager, concession staff, and lifeguard staff.
Inman said the city continues to study the idea of building a new aquatic facility, though no formal discussions are being held.
He said the pool had no significant structural problems this past summer, and the city and Y are looking to make improvements.
“We installed a handicap accessible chair into the facility and there are plans in this current budget year to (add) a slide component. We think that’ll be an attraction that should boost attendance,” Inman said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to say that we continue to believe in the facility, we’re actually investing a little more in it, and making it a little more attractive for the community as a whole.”
Previously, the Macomb Park District had managed the pool for the city and the two entities split the operational costs. But the park district chose to walk away a couple years ago because of concerns about the pool’s age and the increasing cost of maintaining it.
