Lombard group dives into pitch for new pool

Some Lombard residents are banking on their neighbors' desire to escape summer heat in cool waters of a new swimming pool.

People for the Parks aims to persuade residents to support the park district's request on the Feb. 5 ballot to borrow $5.9 million, mostly for a new pool at Moran Water Park.

To that end, the group is holding informational forums at 7 p.m. Tuesday and at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Sunset Knoll Recreation Center, 820 S. Finley Road.

"I encourage everybody to come out and get their questions answered, get the correct information, see what you will be getting when the referendum passes and clear up any doubt you may have," said Kimberly Angland, spokeswoman for People for the Parks. "The pool will not open unless the referendum passes, and that's the truth. It's not a scare tactic."

A new pool facility actually would cost about $9 million, but the district already has $3.5 million set aside. It is seeking the additional $5.9 million to replace the 50-year-old main pool, bathhouse and dive well, as well as the 20-year-old wading pool, water slides and concession stands. Four proposals are posted on the district's Web site, www.lombardparks.com, via the pool update link.

Of the $3.5 million requested, roughly $500,000 would be earmarked for improvements to athletic fields, paved paths, parking lots and fitness equipment.

The measure would add roughly $35 to the property tax bill of the owner of an average $300,000 home, park officials said. Once the debt is repaid over the next 20 years, the tax rate would drop.

"For the price of a cup of coffee -- about $3 a month -- we could have a brand new pool," campaign member Brad Janisch said.

The park district opted to ask voters for a new pool after the liner of the lap pool separated from the concrete in July, and consultants determined repairs to the pool and other amenities would cost roughly $7 million just to bring it up to code.

"So if we spend $7 million dollars, we can bring the pool up to code, but we are still working with some functions and structures of the pool that are 50 years old," Angland says. "But for $9 million, we will be able to build an entire new pool complex and do some other capital projects in the parks."

The park board voted Sept. 18 to close the water park after receiving the architectural engineering report on the problems. But if voters back the proposal, a new pool facility could open in time for the 2009 swim season.

People for the Parks also is seeking people who can help get the word out about the pool's condition and the ballot question.

Campaign committee meetings are set for 7 p.m. Thursday and Jan. 24 at Helen Plum Library, 110 W. Maple St. Volunteers also are needed to pass out brochures Feb. 3.