All options for future of city pool should remain on the table

It should come as no surprise that the majority of us want things to be the same or better when it comes to a city pool.

According to the 2,000 people who completed a survey about the pool, a majority favored an outdoor recreational municipal pool, water features like a splash pad, and the current location.

It’s not too late to consider all the possibilities, however, as well as factors that will play a part in the final decision.

Funding is a major consideration, of course, and with a possible major bond issue to repair or replace the McCook Junior High building on the horizon, it would be easy for the city pool to be pushed aside once again.

And, while the city pool is nearly 90 years old and badly in need of repairs, the YMCA pool is already long in the tooth, and could soon need to be replaced or expanded to accommodate school and YMCA competitive swim teams.

Attendance at a major tournament at the city pool last summer illustrates just how much demand there is for an Olympic-sized pool.

Realistically, are there enough private and public resources available for McCook to build two new swimming pools?

The YMCA already provides many services that would otherwise have to be supported by taxpayers through the school or city, or which would go out of existence.

Staffing issues at the municipal pool already severely limit the pool’s operation to a couple of months each summer, hardly justification for a major investment.

The idea of a single new year-round pool, used by both the public and YMCA members could improve staffing issues and should remain on the table.

The first of what is promised to be a series of town hall meetings on the pool issue is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the city auditorium. That would be a great time to learn more and make your opinions heard.

You can review the pool survey here: https://bit.ly/3pNO8Uz