Residents to city: Keep the swimming pool

June 21, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

NILES

The message from 40 residents who attended a community meeting Tuesday was unanimous: Don’t demolish the Waddell Park swimming pool.

The facility has been closed since 2014 when the city was placed in state-ordered fiscal emergency. A recent analysis by Architect Bruce Sekanick estimated costs to build a new facility to replace the pool and building at more than $2.5 million — which the city does not have.

Meeting at the American Legion Hall, the residents argued that a state grant of $67,000 should be enough to cover repairs and put the pool back in operation in 2018.

“It would be cheaper to redo the building we have,” said Al Cantola, who recently won the Democratic primary for the city’s 4th Ward council seat.

“I truly believe if we lose the pool, we will never have another one,” said Cantola’s wife, Amy.

The Sekanick analysis states the roof structure and exterior bearing walls are in poor condition. It also cites the need for repairs of a water pipe leak under the pool that may involve substantial costs.

James DePasquale, former safety service director who was removed from the position by Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia last February, agreed with the report about the roof but not about the rest of the structure.

“It makes no sense to demolish that building when there’s $67,000 to repair,” he said. “You don’t need to build.”

The city must act on the grant before June 2018.

Linda Marchese, D-3rd, the only council member who attended, said she thinks council would like to see the pool reopened.

“I don’t think demolishing the pool is in anyone’s plan,” she said after the meeting.

The community group has scheduled another meeting July 18. “We have to show the city we’re serious,” Amy Cantola said.