A community in Illinois will have to make some decisions regarding the state of its pool after the facility was found to be “functionally obsolete.”
The city of Highland brought in FGM Architects and Counsilman-Hunsaker & Associates to audit the pool. The resulting report recommended either a $1.4 million renovation project or total replacement of the pool.
According to the Belleville Democrat-Herald, the pool, which was built in 1964, saw 10,670 visitors in 2018, with an additional 9,000 approximated for use by a swim team and swim lessons offered at the pool, for a total of approximately 20,000 visits.
The pool was renovated in 1980 but drainage problems and deteriorating concrete walkways plague the facility today.
While the bathhouse has had plumbing and finishing upgrades, the facility does not have. A break space for or a manager’s office, and the layout was deemed insufficient for security and does not meet code regarding the number of plumbing fixtures. The bathhouse also has significant drainage and ventilation problems.
“While this pool facility has been well maintained over the years, it is becoming functionally obsolete,” the report states.
FGM also warns any significant renovation attempts would trigger a review under the Illinois Accessibility Code and the pool would have to be brought up to access standards.
There was no cost estimate on building an entirely new pool, however, it was concluded that it would be more expensive than the renovation. A new facility would be designed for more modern uses and bather interests, it said, and might then increase revenue.
“It is our opinion that the community pool, in its current condition, has outlived its expected useful life,” the report concluded. “Though renovating this facility will extend the life of the pool, the pool will remain functionally obsolete, making the renovation not a cost-effective or suitable long-term solution.”
The season is set to begin May 25 with season passes on sale May 1. Season passes generally run $95 for a family of five or $65 for a single adult, $50 for a single child, with discounts for senior citizens or members of the Korte Recreation Center.
