Detwiler Pool will open this season, Toledo City Council decides

5/7/2008
BY IGNAZIO MESSINA
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Detwiler Pool in North Toledo will open for the season this year, Toledo City Council decided Tuesday.

Council appropriated $16,533 from the Toledo City Parks Fund for personnel costs for the North Toledo pool facility. Councilmen Mike Craig, Frank Szollosi, and Michael Ashford voted no.

It also approved an agreement with the Greater Aquatic Club of Toledo to operate Detwiler. Mr. Ashford voted no on that matter.

Detwiler, 3901 290th St. is the city s largest and youngest public pool, was unused last summer.

The club plans to operate the pool for private swim meets and rentals with a number of groups, but would still offer public swim times.

Last year, Toledo opened only five of its 11 pools and the splash pad at Savage Park. In addition, the city began charging a flat $1 admission fee for the pools.

The money needed to operate the facility was short by about $16,000 for staffing, which was address by Tuesday s action.

The cost to Toledo taxpayers to operate the seven pools that will open and the splash pad at Savage Park this year with some repairs could total nearly $500,000.

Council previously voted to add $121,467 more from the Toledo City Parks fund for Jamie Farr, Roosevelt, and Willys pools.

The pools that will remain closed for a second year are Highland, 1800 South Ave.; Ashley, 141 Knowler St.; and Collins, 624 Reineck Dr.

The city is exploring plans to convert the pool at Jamie Farr into a splash pad.

In other business Tuesday, council agreed 11-1 to amend the municipal code to require any pit bull dog seized be spayed or neutered before being returned.

Councilman Betty Shultz voted no.