CLINTON —
The cost of improvements to Riverview Swimming Pool slated to be complete next fiscal year stirred discussion among council members about extending the pool season in order to get more use out of the short season attraction.
Of the portion of the hotel/motel tax the city receives, 2 percent is designated to Vision Iowa projects which are the marina, RV Park, stadium, skate park, pool, showboat theater and bandshell. For next fiscal year, the council decided to put $163,000 in improvements into the pool, with half to be requested from a Clinton County Development Association Fund Grant.
“If we’re going to put $200,000 into something I’d like it to be open more than 12 weeks,” Ward 4 Councilman Paul Gassman said during the council’s budget workshop on Monday.
“Maybe it’s your year to get these amenities, but in the future I’m interested in the marina and the RV park,” he said.
This year, the pool is scheduled to be open from May 28 to Aug. 11. The season is dictated by pool’s main customers.
“Ninety percent of our revenues come from kids. So that’s where the bang for the buck comes is being open when they’re able to come. Yes, it’s a 12-week season, we can extend that season, but there’s also costs associated with keeping water in the pool when nobody’s swimming or very few are swimming because everyone’s in class,” Recreation Director Gregg Obren said.
Ward 3 Councilwoman Bev Hermann said she has heard suggestions for the pool to be open until Labor Day later in the day so kids and their families can still enjoy the summer attraction after school and on weekends. Lap swimming during the day when kids are in school has also been conveyed as a desire in the community.
“If we want to try that we can certainly try that,” Obren said. “I can go put some pencil to paper and figure out what those costs potentially would be for the final three weeks of August.”
The potential costs include the roughly $800 a week it takes to keep water in the pool, Obren said. Personnel constitute the other major cost.
According to Obren, the pool lost $30,000 last year. At-large Councilwoman Jennifer Graf asked how he felt the improvements, which include a drop slide, UV disinfection system, bathhouse renovations and pool shade, would affect this number.
“The big improvement will be from those around us will come to us. It’s not just going to be a Clinton pool. It will be a big draw,” Obren said.
The improvements will not only add to the service provided at the pool, but will add to the aesthetic appeal, according to Obren.
“Pools need to be colorful,” Obren said,
To which Gassman responded, “They need to be open.”
The council unanimously approved funding the improvements, which will be contingent upon receiving the CCDA grant.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Some of the more than 500 people who escaped the heat at Clinton’s Riverview Pool in late June 2012 enjoy the water. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald
Discussion
Council: Extend Clinton pool’s season
Discussion comes as council talks about improvements set for next fiscal year
- Top News
-
-
Volunteers sought in Clinton County
CLINTON -- Clinton County Habitat for Humanity is searching for volunteers to serve as advocates for a new Habitat family.
-
Council interviews first of two city administrator finalists
The Clinton City Council spent an hour and a half questioning city administrator finalist Ben Benson during an interview Friday afternoon.
-
Council must listen to many voices when making administrator selection
A very important decision soon will be made concerning the future of this city. We are down to just two candidates to fill Clinton's city administrator position, the result of a selection process that included an 11-member, city-appointed committee.
-
Kebabs: Health kick on a stick
Grilling is a simple way to feed your family well this summer. Start with a lean meat and a healthful marinade and then allow the grill to strip away additional fat for a heart-healthy and waist-friendly final result. Plus, grilling caramelizes the natural sugars in foods, which adds flavor without additional calories and fat.
-
'Now I can talk to anyone'
CLINTON — On his first day of school in America, Gaspar Raymundo Lopez was on the verge of tears. The Clinton High School junior moved nearly 3,000 miles from Guatemala to Clinton in 2010.
- Council wants to keep city clear of eyesores CAMANCHE -- Property owners along Washington Boulevard will receive letters from the city of Camanche about keeping the area looking nice. Councilman Gary Kampe said there are some areas along the newly constructed roadway that have a lot of junk sit
-
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: Sam McKenrick
CAMANCHE -- Those attending Camanche's Memorial Day ceremony on Monday will not be able to miss Sam McKenrick, 91, of Clinton. This veteran will recite Johnny Cash's "This Ragged Old Flag" by heart.
-
Twitter introduces website security tool after AP account hacked
Twitter is adding a new security tool to its website, making it harder for outsiders to gain access to accounts, a month after a false posting triggered a stock-market decline.
- County talks anti- nepotism policy, vehicle guidelines CLINTON -- The Clinton County Board of Supervisors this week discussed possible human resources policies. Human Resources Director Lynn Tibbetts introduced a rough draft of an anti-nepotism policy for the county. This policy would prevent a family me
-
Steamers' Holesinger advances to finals
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Bryce Holesinger wasn't going to let an injury stop him. Holesinger, a junior at Fulton High School, qualified for Saturday's finals in the 300-meter hurdles by winning his heat Thursday in the preliminaries at the Illinois Class
- More Top News Headlines
-
