Geneva pool would require partner

Geneva school district officials and community members gathered Wednesday night at a public forum to discuss the construction of an indoor pool within the district.

District officials presented community members with the possible costs, locations and funding sources of an indoor swimming pool. Attendees were invited to submit questions and comments on notecards and were also allowed to address the forum.

Superintendent Kent Mutchler said that the district is in an information-gathering phase.

"We've never come out and stood against or for a pool," Mutchler said.

However, Mutchler stated that the prohibitive cost of building an indoor pool would necessitate a partnership between the school district and other community organizations.

"We know that pools are very expensive to build and expensive to run," said Mutchler. "There is no other program on a taxpayer basis that would cost what a pool does. It would be a burden on taxpayers, and that's why we would need partners. We are looking at all partnerships."

A revenue-generating partnership would be necessary to supply building and operating funds for a pool, Mutchler explained.

Mutchler added that the school district itself is severely limited in the types of revenue it can generate.

"Our revenue comes from property taxes. We get very little state or federal aid," he said. "A private partnership would be the best way to finance this."

Mutchler said that the district has discussed such a partnership with the Geneva Park District and Elgin YMCA, but such talks are still in early stages.

Cost estimates for indoor pools vary greatly, said John Robinson, the school district's director of facility operations.

He said that Geneva school officials have visited school district pools in Mundelein, Chicago and Aurora. Geneva residents would likely need to decide on the size and features of a future pool, he added.

"What would its purpose be? Would it be for physical education or state meets?" Robinson asked audience members.

Robinson said that cost estimates for a 25-meter eight-lane pool, including maintenance, equipment and office space, are about $7,959,000. The cost of a 50-meter eight-lane pool with similar facilities is about $13,555,000.

"Ongoing cost estimates are about $400,000 per year," Robinson said. "There is routine repair and maintenance, insurance costs, and staffing costs. Maintenance is a big cost. Anyone who's spent any time around chlorine knows how corrosive it is."

A pool would most likely be built at a middle school. Storm-water retention issues and a lack of space have ruled out the high school, Mutchler said.

In a brief comment period following the forum, Geneva resident Hugh Calligan objected to the cost of an indoor pool.

"I'm a triathlete. I would love a pool as much as anyone else, but the issue that comes in is whose responsibility is it to pay for that?" he said. "Why do I have to impose upon my neighbor and his checking account to pay for it? We need to take responsibility at the family level and stop putting it on the backs of taxpayers."

However, attendee Mary Lu O'Halloran pointed out that an indoor pool would benefit a wide range of community members.

"You can swim when you're 90," O'Halloran said. "Geneva Park District pools are crowded. With obesity, arthritis and other health conditions facing our nation, plus all the kids who aren't lucky enough to get swim lessons, it would be an asset."

Geneva resident Tim Hatfield also spoke in support of a pool.

"To open up kids eyes to swimming could be a lifelong benefit to them," he said.

Construction of an indoor pool could take place only after current building projects at the Geneva High School are finished, Mutchler said.

"Our timeline is about one and a half years to take a look at partnerships. They take very careful analysis," Mutchler said.

He added that a committee might be formed over the summer to study the issue further.