BRUNSWICK
An outdoor public pool in Brunswick could cost up to nearly $3 million and would result in the closure of Coffin Pond.
An estimated cost for the outdoor pool ranges from $2.6 million to $2.9 million, according to Boston-based Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype Principal Tom Scarlata.
Discussion of a new pool comes as local officials mull spending millions on replacing facilities including Coffin Elementary School and Central Fire Station.
“We know times are tight,” said Recreation Commission Chairwoman Kristi Hatrick, speaking to the town council Feb. 21. “We’re not here to ask for money.”
The plan is to have the pool pay for itself with user fees.
“We believe there’s creative ways to fund this, we’d like to explore them,” said Hatrick.
Scarlata is working with recreational consultant firm Ballard*King to determine pool operating costs and income from user fees to reduce its cost to the town.
User fees would bring in $133,000 toward operating costs, Scarlata said.
Daily pool passes would be $5.50 for adults, $4 for youth and seniors, and $3.50 per person in a group. Summer season passes would cost $50 for adults, $40 for youth and seniors, and $95 for a family.
More talk on funding options may come at the March 16 Town Council Finance Committee meeting.
An outdoor pool would result in closing Coffin Pond. Located off river road, the seasonal pond is bordered by a short, sandy beach and includes amenities such as lifeguards and snack bar. Popular with families of young children, Coffin Pond requires a subsidy from the town’s special revenue fund to the tune of $18,500, said Hatrick.
The pool would be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Coffin Pond’s current hours. The pool would be open Memorial Day weekends through Father’s Day. Weekday hours would start in mid-June through Aug. 15. The pool would stay open weekends after Aug. 15 through Labor Day.
The possibility of an outdoor pool is referenced in a 2002 open space plan and a 2010 report on the cost of keeping Coffin Pond open.
Hatrick said she gets many requests for an outdoor pool for Brunswick, more than an indoor pool. That’s a good thing, Hatrick said, as an indoor pool costs more to maintain.
“There’s also never going to be a perfect time to build a pool,” Hatrick said. “Not building a pool is not going to evaporate the wish for a pool.”
lconnell@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less