The Clintonville Common Council voted Tuesday to move forward with repairs to the city’s outdoor swimming pool after a fire of unknown origin.
The State Fire Marshal has been called to assist with the investigation of the fire, which is believed to have happened between Dec. 17 and Dec. 21.
Justin McAuly, city park and recreation director, said some of his workers on Dec. 21 noticed the two back windows at the pool were broken. An investigation revealed much more damage: the roof had bubbled up from a fire, the concrete was cracked in the storage room, much of the electrical will need to be replaced, plumbing was exposed to the fire, supplies were damaged, three vending machines were destroyed, there was soot all over, the public address system was gone, and a joist needs to be repaired.
City Administrator Chuck Kell told the council that he has been working with the insurance company to evaluate the damages. No damage estimate was available. He said he wanted to make sure, however, that the council still wanted to proceed with the pool restoration.
“If you want to have the pool open this year, then Justin (McAuly) would have to get the ball rolling fast,” Kell said.
The council has debated the future of the pool several times over the last few years. It decided last year to keep the pool open at least one more season if there were no major problems or repairs needed. There also is a committee attempting to raise funds for a new outdoor pool in Clintonville.
Alderman Brad Rokus spoke in favor of making the pool repairs.
“The pool is a public service to the community,” he said. “We owe our constituents and this is one of the things we have. Even if we only get one or two more seasons.”
“We can’t take this community service away from the public,” Alderman Steve Kettenhoven said.
Alderpersons Jim Krause and Mary Beth Kuester voted against the motion to proceed with repairs.
“We need to quit throwing money into the pit,” Krause said. “It makes no sense. We have a beautiful (indoor) pool. Justin just has to make some arrangement with the school. We don’t need this pool. Why throw good money after bad? This is costly to the city, no matter what. This is expense we did not anticipate. I say let it go.”
Kuester said she would like to know what kind of a settlement the insurance company would offer before deciding what to do with the pool.
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