Council seeking input on old pool

4/9/2008
BY MIKE JONES
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Before Sylvania officials decide how to deal with the abandoned swimming pool in the Sylvan Square neighborhood, they want to know how residents feel about such a project.

Katie Cappellini, chairman of council's buildings and grounds committee, said the pool sat unused last year and is becoming an eyesore.

"It shouldn't sit empty again," she told committee members last week.

Ms. Cappellini suggested a public hearing for April 21.

One option other than restoring the pool would be to fill it in. The property could be sold as one or two residential lots.

Or, the city could buy the property and have the pool operated there, probably by the Sylvania Area Joint Recreation District.

Keith Haddad, council president and a member of the recreation district's board, said a

larger community pool could be built.

He said swimmers might be able to use nearby Sylvan Elementary School for parking. Land behind and to the south of the school borders the rear of the current pool boundary. That might be used as part of the recreation area, he said.

The city owns a narrow strip of land adjacent to the pool, which had been used for parking.

District administrators believe it would be less expensive to put in a new pool than refurbishing the existing one, Mr. Haddad said.

Ms. Cappellini said it is her understanding that the structure, which is about 35 years old, has developed leaks and that the filtration and other systems are faulty.

She added that smaller children currently use Plummer Pool and that Centennial Terrace & Quarry is a popular swimming spot for older teenagers. But she said there's little public swimming available for preteens and younger teenagers.

The pool on Longfellow Road was deeded to the residents' association for 30 years, she added, and that time has run out.

Originally, the pool was used by neighborhood residents. But as demographics changed and other recreational activities became available, use dwindled.

Membership was offered to people from outside the neighborhood.

But that, too, didn't generate enough income.