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NILES -- Much needed repairs to the closed Waddell Park swimming pool are being considered by city council.
A study done by Phillips Sekanick Architects of all city-owned buildings, aimed at determining the status of and necessary repairs for the structures, included the pool and park maintenance building.
The study found a water pipe leak underneath the pool and roof leaks, cracked walls and a damaged deck in the pool building.
The pool building and equipment have not been refurbished since the 1980s and the pumphouse in the pool building in particular has deteriorated since the pool was closed, according to Service Director Ed Stredney.
"To allow the public or employees into the building would be unsafe," Stredney said.
The pool was closed in 2014 when the city was unable to pay its lifeguards due to its fiscal emergency status. The facility has been unused since, except to store the roughly 6,100 residential water meters still awaiting installation.
The study advises council to demolish the pool, building and deck, which is expected to cost roughly $275,000 to $325,000. Saving the building would instead cost the city about $1.83 million.
At a recent roundtable meeting, which a few members of council were present to discuss the study, it was decided the information would be distributed to the other members and another roundtable would be set after council had a chance to prioritize the projects and determine which ones need immediate attention.
"Some of these need all the bells and whistles, but we can't afford the bells and whistles," Councilman Barry Steffey, D-4th Ward, said.
While the study contained estimates of what repairs for the projects could cost, the bids the city receives may turn out to be lower than expected. However, council members said they wanted to find a way to fund the projects without going to the taxpayers.
"I'm tired of going to the taxpayers, I want to give the taxpayers something before going to them again," Councilwoman Linda Marchese, D-3rd Ward said.
To pay for the repairs, Auditor Giovanne Merlo suggested going after a bond lasting five, 10, or 20 years instead of drawing the money out of city funds this year. However, before he can pursue a bond, Merlo said he needs to know exactly what amounts of funds council needs.
"I need a dollar amount to go to an X-Y-Z institution and say 'I need X amount of dollars,'" Merlo said.