Augusta Mayor and Council Address Public Pool Renovation Plans......Again

(Photo courtesy of maysville-online.com)

The first Augusta city council meeting of spring 2018 was held and on the agenda, once again, was discussion on the deteriorating public pool and its pending renovation. 

Councilman Joe Goecke initiated the first discussion regarding the pool. Councilman Goecke motioned to delete the previous plan to focus funds, appropriated for the pool, to the rebuilding of the docks at the Augusta Boat Dock. Goecke explained that, in the previous council meeting, he didn’t fully understand that he had voted to approve said measure. His motion was seconded and the minutes from the previous meeting in February were edited to state that the council had approved the rebuilding of the docks without specifics on funding. Council member Hopkins-McMurrin abstained from voting as she was “sick” and could not make the February meeting. A day in which she appeared on channel 9 news and had recorded two Facebook live videos. 

Mayor Wendell High kicked off the formal discussion of pool renovations with a request for the council to vote to allow the mayor to officially accept the Bracken County Fiscal Court’s $150,000 advance to help fund pool renovations. This advance is more than half of the $235,000 estimate the city received for a very elaborate and complete renovation. The council quickly voted to approve. The mayor then explained he has some ideas on where the rest of the money will come from for the $235,000 renovation. Details on that were not given. The mayor emphasized that the pool renovation will get done. And work to secure funds and get started on the project is urgent and will happen as soon as possible. Mayor High also explained that it will be done thoughtfully and carefully to ensure it is done correctly and without any future concern of deterioration and public safety.

A public pool committee was formed to oversee the renovating process and future pool function. The committee includes Gwen Pollard who was in attendance and is passionate about the role the public pool plays in the community. Via Pollard’s Facebook account, “If the pool could open this summer, I would manage it for free.”

With the overwhelming probability that the pool will not open in 2018, community members have shown concern for a lack of recreational activities for the youth. When asked if there were any plans to focus on other community recreational activities, Mayor High mentioned a program to employ youth to help clean the town. High even mentioned having kids sweeping the streets. Yes, he really did. No bull shit. The mayor then was interrupted and tourism director Lacey Holleran mentioned that it has been proposed that she will head a program focused on community engagement through recreation. Holleran explained she is waiting approval from the mayor to begin the program. 

Discussion of the pool and it’s financial standing took place as well. It was mentioned by several council members and the mayor that making a profit on the pool is not a focus. The pool in the last fiscal year was a $32,000 expense. The pool yielded $5,800 in revenue and councilman Goecke mentioned that it had a $6,800 seasonal water bill due to leaks and constant refilling of the pool. 

The building of the boat slips at the boat dock was next on the agenda. An $80,000 estimate was given last year but Mayor High believes the city can cut that in half by allowing city workers to rebuild the docks. Mayor High developed a new funding plan for his $40,000 budget to begin the process immediately. High’s plan was to take $15,000 from the city gas fund, $5,000 from the city sidewalk program and $20,000 from a contingency fund or reserve fund. 

The community concern and involvement in the issue of the public pool has been very encouraging. The community puts the public pool at a very high priority as it is a place for the youth of the community to go to be kids, away from video games, television and social media. The public pool is a timeless community staple. Through public concern and voices heard throughout the town, county and area, I feel the city is now on the right track with keeping the public pool as this invaluable place and even improving upon that to ensure the pool keeps its status in community for many future generations.