By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
VICTORY TOWNSHIP — The West Shore Community College Board of Trustees is expected to make a decision on the future of the college’s swimming pool in either sometime in late winter or early spring, according to WSCC President Scott Ward.
A public letter writing campaign has taken place recently with much of the information being inaccurate, accusing trustees of already making decisions on the pool. Ward said no decisions have been made.
The pool was opened in 1975 and faces major upgrades, according to Ward. He said the swimming pool annually has an approximate $100,000 loss in revenue.
While the college has performed updates to the pool facility over the last several years, major work is needed to the pool is the actual infrastructure of the pool.
“Since I have been at the college, over the last 15 years, we have put a lot of work into the facility,” Ward said. “This has included replacing the hot tub, the ceiling, replacing the lighting, replacing the boilers, and retiling the pool several times. Plus, the locker room, which is connected to the pool, was renovated. The pool is at the end of its life. It is likely that we are looking at full replacement of the pool, not renovations or repairs. We’ve known this is coming for awhile.”
Ward said estimates to replace the pool are about $3.7 million.
Last March, Ward established a recreation task force, made up of volunteer citizens, to study not only the pool but other college and community recreation facilities and opportunities.
“The condition of the pool and its operational challenges serve as a catalyst for a more comprehensive examination of recreational facilities and programs available to both the college and the community,” Ward said. “As stewards of the college’s mission and resources, it is imperative we take a regional approach to meeting community needs and desires, providing necessary services to our students and patrons, and coordinating our offerings with those of other community agencies.”
That task force has concluded its study.
Ward said he is in the process of reviewing the study and the task force will likely give its report at the February meeting of the Board of Trustees.
“Based on the task force’s report, I will make a recommendation and then present that to the board,” Ward said.
Despite the public outcry, no decisions have been made, Ward said.
“The board made very clear at its December meeting that no decision has been made,” Ward said. “We are trying to do our due diligence. We are looking at what it would take to redo the pool and then we are also looking at the broader perspective. Do we keep it as a pool? Just a lap pool? A therapy pool? Or do we do something else with that space? These are always views that must be taken. It doesn’t mean a decision has been made one way or the other. I think the board is acting like anyone would expect a public board to act.”
Ward said the board will also not make any decisions until a public forum is held.
Ward also addressed comparisons to the college’s expansion of learning facilities such as the Riemer Regional Public Safety Training Center, the Manistee Downtown Education Center, and the planned Hart facility.
“The Riemer Center was a partial gift to the college and that facility has allowed us to expand programming in EMS and law enforcement training. The Manistee Center has been a huge success. Both of those facilities were purchased at low costs and are serving huge educational and community needs. The Hart facility is being purchased with a major grant.”
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