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Rec commission revisits pool project details
By Geoff Cox • Staf Writer
MONTEREY - The Highland County Recreation Commission came to Monday's monthly meeting armed with questions and answers, eager to clear up any misinformation citizens may have about the evolving swimming pool project.
Concerns were discussed as members shared information and educated themselves on the details of the proposal.
"We are ambassadors to the public and need to know the answers and defend our positions," said chair Sherry Sullenberger. The commission addressed several concerns citizens have mentioned; they included:
n Where's the money coming from? Taxpayer money has not been used, members stressed. "We have not ever added what we believe to be county money into the pool account," Sullenberger said.
The pool project account contains only donated money ($99,509) and money raised by commission fund-raisers ($14,517). Another $50,100 in pledges is being called in. Expenses of roughly $25,000 in architect fees for the bathhouse design, $6,000 for design of the bid package, $3,700 for site analysis, and $2,100 for the soil and erosion plan have been paid from the account ($36,800 total). Spruce Hill Excavating completed the site preparation and has not been compensated yet.
County administrator Roberta Lambert confirmedSullenberger's statement Tuesday that no county money has been spent on the project to date. She explained the commission has been allocated $20,000 over the last two years for programs, and has not used the money, operating as a selfsufficient entity instead. "They ask for $40,000 to $43,000 every year," Lambert said. "The county has been providing them $20,000 for program operations. They have asked for added money for a director but it's never been approved."
Last year, the $20,000 for 2006 was transferred back to the county's general fund to support the combined recreation/ athletic director position with the school. The money for 2007 remains in county coffers. "They still have not taken the allocation for this year," Lambert said.
n What about the money for the contractor? The $240,000 bid from National Pools accepted by the county is only for the pool and its mechanical components and piping, and nothing more. Construction is scheduled to start this spring. The money on hand, money raised this summer, plus the $110,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoors Fund will pay for the construction.
n What else will it cost? At minimum, an estimated $110,000 more is needed to make the pool functional, but not usable. This money will pay for the concrete around the pool, fencing, lighting, a stone parking area, and a shed to house the pool equipment. But it does not include covering the expense of a bathhouse, which is required to make the pool functional.
n What will the bathhouse cost? Specifics of the design and cost of the bathhouse have yet to be determined. The commission expressed the opinion that although the overall scope may be reduced, the projected size (2,200 square feet) should not be reduced but could be altered. Reducing the $150 per square foot estimated construction cost is the goal. Members acknowledged that donated materials and labor could offset the price per foot considerably if the logistics could be worked out. Sullenberger stressed the goal is to build something that satisfies the whole community. She noted the pool depth had been altered at a substantial cost, and every day, the price of materials goes up. The commission supports applying for a loan so the bathhouse and pool can be built at the same time. The loan would be obtained by the county and paid back by the recreation commission through donations and fund-raisers. The loan amount is yet to be determined. The public hearing on the matter was held last week and an answer from supervisors as to whether the county can or will get a loan is expected within 30 days.
n What will it cost to operate the swimming pool? The estimated cost of operation and maintenance is $25,000 for the three months of the year the pool would be open. Sullenberger emphasized that number was only an estimate and she is researching other localities with similar accommodations in an attempt to determine whether the estimate is accurate. A $100,000 donation for pool operating costs (disbursed at four, $25,000 increments annually) expires this August if construction is not underway.
n The pool steering committee, consisting of commission members Maggie Cavell, Sullenberger and Don Ferrell, plus Lambert and supervisor Jerry Rexrode representing the county, and school superintendent Gary Blair, has been making the decisions about the project so far. Sullenberger detailed the difficulties the committee has had, and commended everyone who has been involved through the several-year process, especially Cavell for her fund-raising efforts. She also expressed the determination to see the project to fruition.
"I think this is a great thing for the community," she said. "This goes way back. I don't remember there ever being no swimming pool. I remember two, Bolar and Monterey. Both were used by the community. I would hate to think as we enter the 21st century we don't think we need a pool when we needed it and enjoyed it for the last 75 years at least."
Over the past year fund-raising has been brisk with the majority of donations coming from outside the county. Encouraging local support for the pool, the commission will hold a contest for Highland students to design a logo for the pool, a radio advertising spot, and a poster competition. Sullenberger said, "I would hope the community will get behind the project."
An open invitation was offered to anyone with concerns or questions about the pool project to attend commission meetings. It was noted there were no citizens attending the meeting.
In other recreation news:
n Teams are still being accepted for the May 4th golf tournament sponsored by The Homestead to benefit the pool project. Up to 30 teams can register. The event is being held at the Lower Cascades Course. Businesses interested in sponsoring a hole, or for more information call Don Ferrell at 468-2174.
n Applications for T-ball have been sent out and are due by Friday, April 4. Children from age fiveto 10 are eligible to play. Games are scheduled to start in May. Coaches and persons to run the concession stand are needed. Little League is also starting up but no information was available. Contact Brian Parker for more information at 468-2129.
n The planned trip to the Shakespeare theatre in Staunton has been moved back until summer.
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