New pool not in plans for 2009
County acknowledges need for facilities, but cites tough economic times
By JenniferBroadwater
Posted 11/26/08
Bad news for swimmers: 2009 will not be the year of the Olympic-size pool in Howard County.
Nor is it going be the year of any new government-owned aquatic facilities, according to Gary Arthur, director of the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks.
While acknowledging the need for additional swimming facilities in the county, Arthur said the project would be too costly for lean economic times and he therefore will not request county funding for a pool project in the coming fiscal year.
“We’ve nailed down that, yes, there is a need,” Arthur said. “We will consider all the options to be implemented when and if the budgetary funding becomes available.
“I’m sure that disappoints some people,” he added. “But the reality of the situation is that we’re facing some tough budget times here in Howard County.”
At the Recreation and Parks Board’s meeting Wednesday night, board members voted to accept a recommendation that additional aquatic facilities are needed in the county.
The board also accepted the results of a feasibility study outlining several options, including designs for both competitive and leisure-style pools.
County Executive Kenneth Ulman ordered the study in 2007, after receiving requests from residents who felt the county lacks adequate public swimming facilities, particularly those suited to competitive events.
The sole county-owned pool is a 25-meter outdoor pool at the Roger Carter Recreation Center in Ellicott City, which is only open during warm-weather months.
Howard Community College, the Columbia Association, YMCA, and private fitness centers also operate pools, although none are 50-meter “Olympic-size” pools — the standard for long-course swimming events.
Although some residents have petitioned for a 50-meter pool, others say they would like the county to build a leisure pool, with water slides and play features. Still others have lobbied for a pool suited to warm-water therapy.
Ellicott City resident Michael Jacobson, who is among those who would like to see a county-owned, indoor, 50-meter pool, said he doesn’t believe county officials have the will to build such a pool — regardless of budgetary constraints.
“The study looked good, although I think they’ve underestimated the numbers locally interested in swimming,” he said. “In general, it’s not surprising. Even if it’s a good year (financially) I think we’d be in the same spot.”
Including Jacobson, six people testified at the Nov. 19 meeting, according to Arthur, who said he also received eight e-mails, including testimony.
The majority of the comments were from those who would like to see a 50-meter pool, he said, although one person testified in support of a leisure pool and another rejected the idea of the county building a pool altogether.
At the meeting, the board reviewed the 150-page study, prepared by St. Louis-based Counsilman-Hunsaker, a swimming pool design consultant.
According to the study, the National Recreation and Parks Association recommended, in 1990, that communities provide one public pool for every 20,000 people. However, a review of U.S. cities shows that, on average, the U.S. has approximately one public pool for every 45,570 residents.
The consultant determined that Howard County — excluding Columbia, which is serviced by the private Columbia Association — provides one public pool for every 180,049 residents.
The Columbia Association operates 27 pools, open to Columbia residents who pay membership fees.
The report outlines four options for Howard officials to consider: an outdoor leisure pool to be added to an existing community center at an estimated cost of $6.5 million; an indoor swim center with an eight-lane lap pool and leisure pool and an adjoining outdoor leisure pool at an estimated cost of $20.3 million; an outdoor leisure pool and six-lane lap pool at an estimated cost of $7.9 million; and an indoor 50-meter pool at an estimated cost of $17.3 million.
The study notes that outdoor leisure pools are generally more cost effective, in part, because they operate only during the warm months of peak demand.
The study recommends against a 50-meter pool, and also recommends that any pools not be located in Columbia.
Nor is it going be the year of any new government-owned aquatic facilities, according to Gary Arthur, director of the county’s Department of Recreation and Parks.
While acknowledging the need for additional swimming facilities in the county, Arthur said the project would be too costly for lean economic times and he therefore will not request county funding for a pool project in the coming fiscal year.
“We’ve nailed down that, yes, there is a need,” Arthur said. “We will consider all the options to be implemented when and if the budgetary funding becomes available.
“I’m sure that disappoints some people,” he added. “But the reality of the situation is that we’re facing some tough budget times here in Howard County.”
At the Recreation and Parks Board’s meeting Wednesday night, board members voted to accept a recommendation that additional aquatic facilities are needed in the county.
The board also accepted the results of a feasibility study outlining several options, including designs for both competitive and leisure-style pools.
County Executive Kenneth Ulman ordered the study in 2007, after receiving requests from residents who felt the county lacks adequate public swimming facilities, particularly those suited to competitive events.
The sole county-owned pool is a 25-meter outdoor pool at the Roger Carter Recreation Center in Ellicott City, which is only open during warm-weather months.
Howard Community College, the Columbia Association, YMCA, and private fitness centers also operate pools, although none are 50-meter “Olympic-size” pools — the standard for long-course swimming events.
Although some residents have petitioned for a 50-meter pool, others say they would like the county to build a leisure pool, with water slides and play features. Still others have lobbied for a pool suited to warm-water therapy.
Ellicott City resident Michael Jacobson, who is among those who would like to see a county-owned, indoor, 50-meter pool, said he doesn’t believe county officials have the will to build such a pool — regardless of budgetary constraints.
“The study looked good, although I think they’ve underestimated the numbers locally interested in swimming,” he said. “In general, it’s not surprising. Even if it’s a good year (financially) I think we’d be in the same spot.”
Including Jacobson, six people testified at the Nov. 19 meeting, according to Arthur, who said he also received eight e-mails, including testimony.
The majority of the comments were from those who would like to see a 50-meter pool, he said, although one person testified in support of a leisure pool and another rejected the idea of the county building a pool altogether.
At the meeting, the board reviewed the 150-page study, prepared by St. Louis-based Counsilman-Hunsaker, a swimming pool design consultant.
According to the study, the National Recreation and Parks Association recommended, in 1990, that communities provide one public pool for every 20,000 people. However, a review of U.S. cities shows that, on average, the U.S. has approximately one public pool for every 45,570 residents.
The consultant determined that Howard County — excluding Columbia, which is serviced by the private Columbia Association — provides one public pool for every 180,049 residents.
The Columbia Association operates 27 pools, open to Columbia residents who pay membership fees.
The report outlines four options for Howard officials to consider: an outdoor leisure pool to be added to an existing community center at an estimated cost of $6.5 million; an indoor swim center with an eight-lane lap pool and leisure pool and an adjoining outdoor leisure pool at an estimated cost of $20.3 million; an outdoor leisure pool and six-lane lap pool at an estimated cost of $7.9 million; and an indoor 50-meter pool at an estimated cost of $17.3 million.
The study notes that outdoor leisure pools are generally more cost effective, in part, because they operate only during the warm months of peak demand.
The study recommends against a 50-meter pool, and also recommends that any pools not be located in Columbia.
user comments (1)
user milton says...
The government should not be providing swimming pools regardless of the economy. If the demand for a 50 meter pool was sufficient, private businesses would provide pools without wasting tax dollars on them. There are two swim clubs in the western part of the county, and the western part of the county lacks the density of Columbia. Some people want pools, some people want horse parks, some people want something else. Everybody has their hand out and politicians are all too happy to play Santa Claus.
Posted 3:49 PM, 11.23.08 | Permalink
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