HUBBARD School board wants help with pool costs

The pool has been closed for two months at the urging of a county building official.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The board of education will attempt to bring the city and township into the operation of the community pool, which has been closed for two months.
The board made the decision Thursday during a meeting that was attended by 50 to 60 people, Superintendent James Herrholtz said.
During the "brainstorming session," more than nine options were discussed, including placing levies on the ballot in either August or November.
The Hubbard Community Pool, which opened in 1975, is in need of extensive work, including roof repairs, a new main pump and dehumidifiers.
Levy rejected
In November, voters rejected a levy request from the school district that would have generated about $480,000 for the repairs and operation.
Although it's a community pool, the operations and funding are the sole responsibility of the schools.
The pool was closed after the district received a Dec. 17, 2003, letter from Peter M. Marchese, the county's chief building official. He said the building couldn't be used until the roof was repaired.
Since the district doesn't have the money to make the repairs, Herrholtz said, he had no option but to close the pool.
The superintendent said the board favors sharing ownership with the city and township. A resolution to that end will be considered during the board's Feb. 23 meeting.
Mayor Arthur U. Magee, who has said he supports the idea of a true community pool, attended Thursday's meeting.
Original plan
Herrholtz noted that when the pool opened, it was supposed to be a community project, "but it really never turned out to be that way."
Also discussed was placing a 1.5-mill to 2.0-mill levy on a special August ballot or November general election ballot to generate $425,000 annually to repair and maintain the pool.
When it was operating, the pool was open to the public and all students learned to swim through classes.
yovich@vindy.com