The second feedback discussion with Waters Edge Pool Consultants gave the community a lot to study in the continued discussion for a new aquatic center.
And while there are decisions the community and council will need to consider in this review process, there are some highlights/takeaways from that meeting that should be considered.
The first gold star from the meeting — staff and the community of Mount Vernon need to be commended for the care that has been given to the pool over the past 60 years. As Laura Ozburn of Waters Edge said, most pools do not last longer than 30 years without significant issues to their deck or basin. That Mount Vernon’s has lasted more than 60 years is commendable with as few failures as that pool has seen or massive repairs needed, and something this community should thank city staff for.
The community also took time to weigh in with their opinions at the first community meeting and the survey that followed, which helped Waters Edge narrow focus to the priorities and interests of the community. More than 440 participated in the survey, and both meetings were northward of 40 individuals in attendance.
Four areas received more than 90 percent of the vote for importance for the community, which highlights how much the pool and aquatic exercise means to this community.
Another statistic from the polling conducted — 99 percent of those who responded indicated a pool of any capacity was important to the community.
It’s something this community has identified as important over the years. We’re now more than halfway through the aquatic center feasibility study.
There’s points that now need to be considered — indoor or outdoor pool, location of the pool among them — and Waters Edge will have a new survey/chance for the community to weigh and information to review on different locations of each style and location of the aquatic center. That survey will be open the first week of December.
It’s your continued chance to weigh in on the facility moving forward, and help come up with the next aquatic facility that will hopefully serve this community for the next 65 years.