(Enlarge) Ellicott City resident Michael Jacobson enrolled his sons, Aaron, 11, left, and Adam, 8, in the Retrievers swim team at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County because the school’s Olympic-size swimming pool is the nearest one to his home. Jacobson has called for Howard to build a pool suitable for fitness and competition swimming. (staff photo by Nicole Martyn)

The lifelong swimmer grew up in Northern Virginia, where he swam competitively for his high school and earned a scholarship to swim for North Carolina State University.

So, shortly after moving to Ellicott City in 1995, he sought a public pool but couldn't find one.

"I called up the county to ask where I could swim," he recalled.

He was told the county operates a single 25-meter outdoor pool in Ellicott City, at the Roger Carter Recreation Center, but that it was not yet open for the season.

"When I moved up here I was kind of shocked," he said. "I considered this a premier county."

Jacobson has enrolled his sons, Aaron, 11; and Adam, 8, in the Retrievers youth swimming program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in Catonsville, because the college's facility is the nearest 50-meter Olympic-size pool to his home, he said.

Jacobson is among the residents who want the county government to build and operate a pool suited to the needs of those who swim for fitness and competition.

Others have petitioned the county for a warm-water therapy pool for senior citizens, while still others would like access to a county-owned leisure pool.

The county's Department of Recreation and Parks is in the midst of studying whether the county should build a pool. County Executive Kenneth Ulman ordered the study in 2007, after residents asked him to fund a swim facility during public hearings on the county budget.

Some residents told Ulman that they believe the demand for a public pool is large enough that admission and rental fees would help cover its operating costs.

Howard Community College, the Columbia Association, the YMCA and private fitness centers operate pools in the county, though none are 50-meter Olympic-size pools -- the standard for long-course swimming events.

Feasibility study under way

In mid-June, the county's Department of Recreation and Parks reviewed an "aquatic development plan" prepared by St. Louis, Mo.-based Counsilman-Hunsaker, a swimming pool design consultant.

The plan outlines four options, including: an outdoor leisure pool; an indoor 50-meter competition pool; a facility that includes indoor and outdoor components, and includes a leisure pool and an eight-lane lap pool; an outdoor leisure pool with a six-lane lap pool and diving well.

The consultant will next produce a more detailed feasibility study which likely will be released in September, said Gary Arthur, director of the recreation department, adding that the studies do not necessarily mean that county officials will build a pool, or can afford to build one.

"What we're looking to come out of this is probably a plan that will give the county direction over the next five years," he said. "All of that will be based on our financial resources."

The consultant has told officials that an outdoor leisure pool would be the most cost effective option because it would operate only during the summer's peak demand, whereas an indoor pool would require staff and other operating costs year round and potentially only draw swimmers in the early morning and late afternoon, Arthur said.

The recreation and parks advisory board, which advises officials on recreational matters, likely will make a recommendation to Ulman on the matter in October, after reviewing the feasibility study and meeting with the Howard County Revenue Authority, which finances revenue-producing projects, Arthur added.

In 2005, Columbia resident Andy Lazris led an effort to petition the county's Board of Education to make swimming a varsity sport in high schools. Officials nixed the effort due to concerns over a lack of dedicated space for practices and meets, and funding.

A county-run Olympic-size pool could help make varsity swimming a reality, while also providing exercise space for the county's growing senior citizen population, said Lazris, who is a geriatric physician.

"One big pool like that would provide so much versatility," he added.

user comments (18)

user michaeljacobson says...

What we need is a combination facility that is open year round to support all the county residents and "competive swimming", Diving, synconized swimming, scuba diving, water polo, etc. What we have is nothing. I suggest we take a look a Northern Virginia which is way ahead of us in this area. One facility, Claude Moore Recreation Center, http://www.loudoun.gov/default.aspx?tabid=841 , both a rec pool (lazy river too) and a 50 meter pool and climbing wall and jogging tack and weight room too, etc.... We need to remeber the parks and rec slogan "Get Up! Get Out! and Get Active!" and build a new facility that can support this for everyone!

Posted 2:31 PM, 07.17.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

I don't think that building a swimming pool is a good use of tax dollars. If the demand for a pool is as high as it is hyped to be, private investors will build it without assistance from the County. The reality is that there are a noisy few clamoring for this pool to be built.

Posted 6:08 PM, 07.17.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

As former swimming coach for many years in the local area, I can attest to the need for a viable long-course year-round solution...presently, it's a necessity, if for no other reason than to replace the aging, poorly constructed facilities that currently dot the Howard County landscape. I agree that user milton has a point...if such facilities were economically highly profitable, then private folk would build them. However, the fact is that they are not highly economically profitable...at first. Nonetheless...there are many returns...not the least of which would be a facility to aid in alleviating the dearth of educational and recreational facilities available to adolescents and adults alike...and this, I can assure you, is not a waste of taxpayer money. In fact, that's why I pay taxes! Oh...btw...these facilities do become profitable if properly operated...it just requires a little time, patience and highly qualified staff receiving professional wages to build a fantastic program...perhaps Meadowbrook might be an example...???!!! It has, afterall, produced more success...check out their website, www.nbac.net... than any other facility of its type in the country...all this through the efforts of one man with vision and strenght of character...imagine what a whole county could do!!!

Posted 9:56 PM, 07.21.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

The four options that the county is considering are all money losers, some of them significantly so. The numbers appear in another article this week (see link below). You know that taxes are way too high in a county where a $20 million swimming pool is being considered. How can the County Executive or a County Council person look a parent in the eye and say that there is no funding for a new Mount Hebron High School, but we have several million dollars to build and operate a swimming pool? http://www.explorehoward.com/news/10130/swim/

Posted 3:38 AM, 07.22.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

Money loosers...Mt. Hebron...or any other school for that matter...is a big money looser...aside from a few varsity sports and some minor facility rentals, little revenue is collected for the use of Mt. Hebron or any other public school for that matter. Milton, your posts indicate that you believe it is the function of government to tax the public and to generate additional revenue. I must respectfully disagree...I believe government must serve the public interest with the revenue it collects. A new aquatic facility will serve student interests throughout the county as well as the interest of those who do not have students in the public school system. I empathize with the folks who are serviced by Mt. Hebron; it is an aging building with significant needs...but they are being addressed. Is it too much to ask for the county to attend to the needs of its constituients who have, for many years, supported the schools, but whose needs are changing? Even you must agree that it would be clearly irresponsible for the county to continue to neglect the needs of its aging population. I fear your vision is short-sighted...lacks data and ill-adivsed.

Posted 10:27 PM, 07.22.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

Juiceman, I never said nor implied that the job of the government is to invest tax dollars to make money. I was responding to your unfounded notion that pools can be profitable. The job of the government is to provide very basic services. In case you have not noticed, the combined operating and capital budgets for Howard County is approaching the $2 billion level. I am getting a little tired of people like you who insist that no expense be spared to provide services that are not profitable in the marketplace. Your suggestion that the county is neglecting the needs of aging people if a pool is not built is one of the most ludicrous things I have ever heard. If one of us is short sighted and lacking data, it is you.

Posted 12:00 PM, 07.23.08 | Permalink

user says...

"How can the County Executive or a County Council person look a parent in the eye and say that there is no funding for a new Mount Hebron High School, but we have several million dollars to build and operate a swimming pool?" ...your words...not mine~! Your implication is clear, nearly transparent...you're believe that an increased investment in the public schools is a necessity, at the expense of a facilty that would service not only county school students, but a woefully underserved population, namely the single and senior citizens whose contributions are vital to the health of Howard County. I agree, schools need to be adequately funded...and the budget reflects that need. However, the tax-paying public who do not require the services of the school system deserve a facility to attend to their needs as well! Regarding data...well...you've produced none...I have directed you to a source whose proven your assertions wrong. Give Murray Stephens, of Meadowbrook Swim (http://www.mbrook.com/) a call...I'm sure he'd be happy to dispute your "facts." In addition, I never argued that all such facilities are profitable...I did, however, believe it only responsible to correct your false assertion..."The four options that the county is considering are all money losers, some of them significantly so"...that all proposals are loosers. Facts are facts...and, in this arena, you are sorely lacking! Properly run aquatic facilities are able to stand on their own...not that a tax-payer supported facility should be subject to that test before its construction. I'm sorry you believe that taxes are excessive...I often bemoan my tax burden as well...however, if you'd like to consider the taxes in say New York or New Jersey or Minneapolis, Mn. ... I think you'd understand that we are getting a heck of a deal in Howard County, a lifestyle that I do not want to sacrifice. I'm willing to pay my share of the tax...I'd just like to expand the services I receive... Oh...yeah...I nearly forgot...Lifetime Fitness is profitable...so is Quest Fitness, Planet Hollywood, Bally's Fitness, Meadowbrook Swim Club ... there are just too many examples that argue against your interpretation of the "data". Oh, yeah, PSS... "The job of the government is to provide very basic services. In case you have not noticed, the combined operating and capital budgets for Howard County is approaching the $2 billion level. I am getting a little tired of people like you who insist that no expense be spared to provide services that are not profitable in the marketplace."...so which is it...does the county "provide services" or design services that are necessarily "profiable in the marketplace?" You appear to be very conflicted about what the mission of government...once you're able to get your head around that...then a more meaningful discussion might ensue... Good Luck...should you choose to accept this mission!

Posted 9:43 PM, 07.23.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

“However, the tax-paying public who do not require the services of the school system deserve a facility to attend to their needs as well!” If we wash away all your befuddled rhetoric and misrepresentations of my point of view, the above statement is the heart of your argument. And this is what I fundamentally disagree with. We pay a significant tax burden so the county can provide basic services. No one needs a busy body like you to think of other ways to increase the tax burden by providing even more services- especially when the proposed service is a frivolous swimming facility. You are not the king of the county who knows what every citizen wants in terms of services. Please get over yourself.

Posted 8:59 AM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

User milton, as demonstrated, it is you who believes that you are the "king of the county"...omnipotent in the needs of all its citizens...and it is blatantly obvious that you believe your viewpoint represents the same. Quite clearly, your view does not represent the needs of all of the citizens, if only this one. In addition, your arguments lack data ... I'm not a "busy body", rather, a well informed, responsible citizen whose arguments are based in successful models that could be duplicated in Howard County. Simply stated, your assertions are false...apparently you are the busy body who feels the watch-dog like need to trim the services of county goverment to bare essentials...so...I'm wondering, where do you draw the line...what are your criteria for defining a "basic service? Debate is the substance that energizes the actions of the county government. Yes, I believe that building the facility will service many citizens as well as several public interests...and you do not. Whether or not the facility is built should be based on and exmaination of data..not your beliefs or emotions. I emplore you...focus your arguments on the data, and not your perception of my state of mind.

Posted 12:05 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

You’re exhausting. I am getting very tired of having you twist and contort everything I write. The bottom line is this: you are making the claim that the county is ignoring the needs of citizens if a swimming pool is not built. You have failed to support this claim with anything other than rationalizations and emotional pleas. I want taxes to be lower so that citizens can do with their money what they wish. If they want to join a private club that has a pool, they can do that. If they want to buy more pizza, they can do that too. I am not pretending to know what people want. You are the self righteous know-it-all that pretends to know better than every other citizen what their money should be spent on. And then you try to present me as the one who thinks they are the king of the county. That’s really cute.

Posted 12:56 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

User Milton, I beg to differ, I have offered several models that may be duplicated in Howard County. Perhaps you missed the reference to Meadowbrook Swim Club, Lifetime Fitness, and other private facilities, many of which operate aqauatic facilities, that are profitable. The data is clearly there...and much more could be offered. Perhaps the Arundel Olympic Swim Center near Annapolis, The International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl., The Flickinger Aqauatic Center in New York...I could go on and on. These are profitable aquatic and fitness facilities...they generate revenue, period. As I've stated, I pay a significant tax burden and yes, I expect return for my investment. Howard County provides its residents with a high-quality educational system and a high-quality standard of living. I believe it is money well spent...I enjoy many of the fruits of my tax dollars. However, it is clear that there are many underserved groups in the county, and I believe it is time to begin addressing those needs...so...yes...if it means a small increase in taxes to help enfranchise the youth, adolescent, singles, families and senior citizens. of the county..then I can withstand the burden...it is substance that makes Howard County a great place to live. I understand your disagreement...I'd like more pizza myself...but this issue is to critical to be dismissed by an inaccurate recounting of data...and that is my issue with your postings. I believe I've addressed your criticism, and provided direct examples of successful models. Rather than base your argument on the strength of a single report...do the research...who knows...the weight of the facts might induce a change of heart!

Posted 2:18 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

My disagreement with you is that I think a pool, being a venue for entertainment, is a misuse of public money. The issue is not whether a pool is profitable or not (which it isn’t, but that doesn’t matter). You don’t seem to understand that simple concept, and quite frankly, I could have a more intelligent conversation with my cat who responds to everything I say by licking himself. Good day to you, sir.

Posted 3:37 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

User milton, It is unfortunate that you fail to understand that an aquatic facility serves many uses aside from entertainment. Aquatic facilities serve educative functions, promote public safety, public health, a sense of community as well as a place for supervised recreation and socialization. Again, you are misinformed and misinforming the public. You also believe that entertaniment venues are misuses of public money, yet tax dollars support Centennial Park and several other state and local parks, all recreational / educational facilities...this precedent is clear...Perhaps your cat could assist you in naming other such facilities... Clearly, the role of local government is far more than providing basic services, as you have suggested...there is a responsibility to make sure that all citizens share in the wealth of the county's tax base...and this facility would forward that mission. I must admit, though...I'm glad I don't live in your vision of Howard County...for it would be a barren place, devoid of the rich, diverse culture our tax base has allowed us to develop.

Posted 7:02 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

“there is a responsibility to make sure that all citizens share in the wealth of the county's tax base.” Juiceman, people like you seriously scare me. Can you not see the arrogance of the above quoted statement? Everyone who pays taxes gets the benefit of roads, an educated workforce to serve them, etc. There is no need to add swimming pools to that list. Since you are trailing down the slippery slope, I will too: where do we draw the line at your government funded entertainment venues? Strip joints? Bars? Or, as my cat suggested, publicly funded cat grooming facilities? If redistributing wealth created a rich diverse culture, the United States would be a wasteland and the USSR when under communist rule would be a paradise. For the record, I don’t think that Centennial Park and other government run parks are a particularly good use of tax money. I much prefer the bike paths and open space of Columbia, which were built and maintained with private funds. CA also has pools, by the way, although they are not the flagrant displays of extravagance that you are suggesting we spend our tax dollars on. I think we have both made our points, we will just have to disagree. No doubt you will throw back some lame response with a strange…and…excessive…use…of…three dots…while…twisting…what…I…said. Good day!

Posted 8:25 PM, 07.24.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

Your lack of information betrays you again...are you unaware of CAPRA fees...no, my friend...CA is unequally funded according to the relative affluence of its residents...it's not a choice...if you live there, you pay...regardless of your desired flavor of pizza! In addition, the USSR fell because of its lack of weath redistribution...you seem woefully unfamiliar with the plight of the proliteriat and the ensuing revolt...Yes, I want to be able to choose pizza or broccoli...but not at the expense of others inability to choose at all...which is why there is a strong clamoring for adequate public facilities. The truth exposed, it is time for the County Council to forward economic and social progress, the hallmark of the successful county in which we both reside.

Posted 10:58 AM, 07.25.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

Juice, you woefully ignorant regarding the difference between a tax imposed by a government and an HOA fee charged by a private group. I am aware of and, in fact, I pay CPRA fees. But I knew when I purchased my house that CA would charge those fees and provide certain amenities. It was a voluntary agreement that I entered into by choosing to live in Columbia, and the value of my home increases as a result of the benefits CA provides. CA has completely different objectives and purpose than the county government, so don’t tell me that CA fees and taxes are the same thing.

Posted 12:00 PM, 07.25.08 | Permalink

user milton says...

“In addition, the USSR fell because of its lack of weath redistribution” [sic] Btw Juice, that is the most ignorant thing you have said thus far. It is obvious that your goal is to tell us all how we should spend our money, because you believe you are the only one smart enough to do so despite your inability to string two logical thoughts together.

Posted 12:59 PM, 07.25.08 | Permalink

user juiceman says...

Well...since you're having trouble with logic... Government: the body with the power to make and/or enforce laws for a country, land area, people, or organization; the act of governing; exercising authority...(wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn). Tax: charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government...(wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn). CPRA: a major source of Assocation revenue (2008 Proposal to Lower the Columbia Assessment). Hence, CA is a government. Additional evidence: from CA's website, page titled Columbia Governance: Columbia is an unincorporated community run by a nonprofit homeowners association known as the Columbia Association. Residents elect council representatives from each of Columbia's nine villages and Town Center. These 10 representatives form the Columbia Council of the Columbia Association (CA). The Council has traditionally elected itself to serve as the CA Board of Directors. CA oversees a variety of community facilities including 3,400 acres of permanent open space, 93 miles of pathways, more than 170 tot lots and several parks. ... Howard County provides all other government services, including trash collection, local highway maintenance, snow removal, police and fire protection, libraries and the public schools (http://www.columbiaassociation.com/inside_columbia/col_governance/col_governance.htm) CPRA is a tax...charged by a governing body...plain and simple. In addition, those who reside in Columbia are umbilically linked to Ho. Co. Gov't to maintian their quality of life. It is my goal to advocate strongly for facilities that serve the common good and a publically operated aquatic facility does just that...especially for those who may not reside in CA...but who do live in Howard County. The logic is inescapable...n'est pas?

Posted 10:33 PM, 07.25.08 | Permalink