Pool issues very real for Lebanon
Editor:
Imagine a town of more than 15,000 people without a public swimming pool.
The Lebanon school district says that could happen if voters don’t approve the bond measure on the May 17 ballot.
I wanted to know more so I asked some questions of pool manager Lorlee Engler.
First was why pool renovation is on a school district measure. It’s simple. The school district owns the pool. The Lebanon Aquatics District operates the pool, but doesn’t own the facility.
Engler said experts with Water Technology, Inc. evaluated the facility in 2019. The results are eye-opening.
The pool is sinking and isn’t level anymore. That’s a serious structural issue.
Pieces of the plaster tank are chipping off and hairline cracks are present.
The cast iron pipes that run under the pool room have been there since the pool opened in 1967 and are deteriorating. The same kind of pipes run under the locker room floors, causing problems with flushing toilets. Similar pipes around the perimeter of the pool had to be replaced in 2015 because they were failing.
Those are three major issues with the pool itself. Any one of them could shut down the facility. The building also has problems, including failed flooring, no heat in some areas, and visible dry rot. Engler has a one-page single-spaced list of problems found by the consultants.
Lebanon area residents of all ages would lose if the pool closes.
School kids get lessons there as part of PE classes. Adults use the pool for lap swim, exercise classes and warm water therapy classes. As home to the high school swim team and community-based Lebanon Aquatic clubs, the pool is used for local and regional competitions.
Parents enroll their children in swimming lessons at the pool. The pool is open for recreational use, a blessing for parents looking for healthy activities for their kids. In 2020, the aquatic district recorded more than 62,000 visits to the pool.
About half the $20 million bond proceeds will go toward pool repairs. The other half, plus $4.3 million from the state, will pay for improvements at district schools.
If the bond passes, property taxpayers are projected to pay $0.26 per $1,000 of assessed value, or $3.80 per month, based on a home assessed at $175,000. That’s about the same as a gallon of milk.
That’s a great value for fixing the pool and making improvements at all the district’s schools. Keep the pool open. Vote yes for the school district bond measure.
A.K. Dugan
Lebanon
Pool provides many benefits
Editor:
I have been a member of the Lebanon Community Pool since I retired from teaching in 2004.
I’m now serving on the pool Board and lead an early morning (6:45) aerobics class. There is another one at 11 a.m.
I also love the deep water 8 a.m. jogging class that has been offered five days a week for 10 years.
For those of you who haven’t used this wonderful 55-year-old facility, you are missing a great opportunity to improve your health and have fun at the same time.
Our pool provides education, rehabilitation, competition, and recreation.
Swim lessons are held year- round for all ages and third-grade classrooms each have two weeks of swim lessons. High school PE have classes in the pool, as well as lifesaving classes, and First Aid/CPR.
Our therapy pool, which is used almost constantly, provides rehabilitation for people after surgeries and injuries and swim classes for babies are also held in it. The high school and community swim teams have proud records to show for their hard work.
We also have aerobic, yoga, and deep water jogging classes.
I haven’t even mentioned lap swim, which is a big part of our day. Nor have I mentioned recreational swims and party rentals.
Over 60,000 entries were recorded this last year.
Please support the May 17th Bond Measure to ensure the continuation of this valuable asset for our community.
Peggy Snyder
Lebanon