Shutdown of Colfax swim pool in 2018 discussed

A possible shutdown of the Colfax swim pool for next summer has emerged from final budgeting sessions at city hall. The pool has been operating at a deficit for the past two years and projections for this year indicate it could consume up to $40,000 in reserves for the upcoming season.

Pool revenue marked another drop last year.

Operation of the pool for next year is projected to cost in the range of $58,000, and the revenue, based on last year, at $19,000. That points to another year when the pool will consume money from the parks reserve fund, Finance Director Chris Mathis explained at the city council Monday night.

Mathis pointed out it is not solid financial practice to budget an expected tap on reserve funds. The aim is to maintain the reserves to use in the event the city encounters an emergency need for funds in the course of a year.

Although the figures are not exact at this point, the pool could take up the total reserve for the city’s overall park department in two years.

Council members discussed operating the pool for a shorter season, but they noted that it would be difficult to hire and train lifeguards for a short season.

“This can has been kicked down the road for a long time,” Councilman Jim Kackman commented.

Councilman Al Vorderbrueggen said he departed the previous council session under the impression that pool operation was in the budget for next year. He suggested the city park board be allowed to again go over the pool problems.

Council members were advised early in the budget preparations that something would have to be done to change the funding for the pool. Some type of special levy proposal has been considered for next year.

Councilwoman Jeannette Solimine said she did not want to see the pool shut down. She noted the council will have three new members after the first of the year, and they should have a say in changing the city’s pool policy.

Vorderbrueggen, who heads the city park board, has scheduled a special city Park Board meeting for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. with the pool as the topic. The aim will be to have input from the park board on the record before the city makes its final vote on the 2018 budget.