HUBBARD COMMUNITY POOL Officials propose committee to oversee funds

The pool will have an underwater pumpkin carving event in the coming days.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- If city and township voters approve an emergency tax levy to operate Hubbard Community Pool, school officials are ready to set up a committee to oversee how the funds are spent.
The board of education agreed earlier this year to place an emergency 2.5-mill, five-year levy on the November ballot. Julianne Carsone, a guidance counselor at Hubbard High School is chairwoman of the levy committee.
The board also agreed to establish a committee -- made up of Superintendent James Herrholtz, school district treasurer Phillip Butto and several residents -- to determine what repairs the money will be spent on.
"There are some people in the community worried the money generated by the levy will not be used for the pool," Carsone said. "This committee will make sure that every dollar brought in by the levy will be used for repairs and operations. They will oversee all spending."
Hubbard Community Pool opened in 1975 with a 25-year bond issue paying for construction. The school system has provided operating funds.
Open to public
Though the school district oversees operations and uses it for everything from swim meets for the varsity swim and dive teams to swimming classes for third through eighth grades, the pool, between Reed Middle School and the high school on Hall Avenue, has always been open to the public.
Early bird, adult and open swims have been popular over the years, Carsone noted.
Last year, the pool operated with a $220,000 deficit. The emergency levy would generate close to $500,000 each of the next five years.
Upcoming events
To showcase the facility, events are planned in the coming days and weeks, Carsone said.
An open house is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
In addition to refreshments, Carsone said, there will be a number of activities available for swimmers of all ages, including Discover Scuba, arthritis exercise and water aerobics classes.
"It's a really good chance for people to find out about what the pool offers, and for others to rediscover the pool," Carsone said.
An underwater pumpkin carving contest is set for 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29.
Children and scuba divers are invited to participate in the event, in which they bring an uncarved pumpkin, a pumpkin-cutting safety knife, weights and lights to create and display their jack-o-lanterns underwater.
There is a $5 entry fee, but the public can watch the contest free.
For more information on the pool and its activities, call (330) 534-1992, Ext. 1301.
slshaulis@vindy.com