Committee to tackle outdoor pool
A committee is being formed to make decisions about an outdoor pool in Dickinson because a local woman stepped up and offered to help.
A committee is being formed to make decisions about an outdoor pool in Dickinson because a local woman stepped up and offered to help.
Stepheny Reger spoke at a Dickinson Park Board meeting Monday afternoon about forming a committee to make an outdoor pool a reality.
Dickinson’s only outdoor pool has been closed since 2008.
“I would love to partner with the Dickinson Parks and Rec. to make the dream of having an outdoor pool in our community a reality,” Reger said. “The reason I feel it’s important is because the surrounding communities have pools and Dickinson residents are actually taking their kids to Beach, New England and Killdeer to take their kids swimming outside.”
Federal requirements called for the drain in the outdoor pool to be replaced and the park board decided not to replace it, since it would cost about $55,000. Because of the age of the pool and the wading pool, repairs could push that amount past $100,000, said James Kramer, director of parks and recreation.
Park Board members said they were happy Reger came to push for the project.
“I think this is kind of what we’ve been waiting for, actually,” said Commissioner Scott Kovash said. “This is the first step to get going.”
Whether area residents want an outdoor pool, funding for it and a timeline are some of the tasks the committee will tackle, Kramer said.
Commissioner Carol Herauf said parents have been calling her inquiring about the pool.
“It bothers me that they’re taking they’re kids there (out of town) and we don’t have an outdoor pool,” Herauf said.
Mike Lefor, park board president, said public forums should be organized to hear the community’s opinion on the matter. What type of facility to construct also needs to be determined.
“The water park idea is something that meets today’s consumer,” Lefor said.
After the meeting, Kramer said private funding would help.
“If this group could somehow get a substantial amount of money put together it would speed it up in a hurry,” he said.
An estimated $2.8 million will be needed for a new facility.
A committee will also be formed to decide what improvements should be made to the Phil Patterson Memorial Bandshell. The band shell was dedicated in 1954 and has fallen into disrepair.
At the meeting, Lefor said many people are interested in joining the committee.
Like the pool, Kramer said officials want to know what Dickinson residents want done with the structure.
“Is there enough interest in our community to refurbish it and get it to be a vibrant facility again, or is it something where we just need to put some paint on it and keep using it the way it is?” Kramer said.
Kramer said because it’s a historical structure, grants may be available to repair it.
In other matters, the park district is now accepting bids for construction of a new skate park, Lefor said. The original skate park was destroyed in 2008.
A contract for the project should be awarded by the end of the month, Kramer said.
Residents may be able to utilize the park this fall, he added.
Tags: park board, news
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