Community gathers to discuss future of GCC pool

IRONWOOD - The Barracuda Swim Team held a community meeting in Gogebic Community College's Lindquist Center conference room Thursday to discuss ideas surrounding concerns about the pool.

Amy Lagalo, representative for the Barracuda Swim Team, led the meeting and said the swim team has 68 swimmers who practice about six hours a week. On the weekends, they travel to swim meets that often last all day. The coaches of the team are volunteers who donate their time and skills to teach the Barracuda swimmers.

Lagalo said the main reason for the meeting was to gather "ideas to keep the pool funded, running and keep the pool open" for the team, the students and the community.

OHM assessment

Engineering firm OHM Advisors, based in Hancock, recently did an assessment of the 20-year -old pool.

OHM's report, prepared by Louis Meyette, said, "The pool and deck area are showing signs of wear. The tile on the deck area is in need of grout repair and tile replacement in limited areas. The pool surface liner is eroded away in areas and there is visible staining in the pool bottom. Repair is recommended in these areas."

Although no significant structural modifications are required, OHM recommended the pool should be resurfaced to maintain it for the long-term.

Both the pool filter and chemical systems were found to be in good condition, the OHM report said.

"The dehumidification system is nearing its expected life and the existing heating boiler should be considered for replacement due to its age," according to the OHM report.

The humidity in the pool area is elevated, compared to a typical indoor pool area.

The report also said that these equipment replacements "may be eligible for energy incentives from the electric and gas utility company."

OHM recommended the existing equipment be scheduled for replacement in the next five to 10 years.

In total, the projected costs of repairs surrounding the pool, pool room and system replacements is just over $300,000.

College, community concerns

Many community members said they understood the college was going to immediately close the pool.

Erik Guenard, Dean of Business Services at GCC, said, "The college isn't on record saying anything" regarding the rumored pool closure.

He spoke about issues GCC has had with the pool in recent years, including the boiler breaking down last winter and issues with the dehumidification system. Guenard also said the college needs to hire professionals to "figure things out" with the pool.

Though there are site funds and millage to help keep the school in full operating order, the funds available would not cover the entire $300,000 pool updates, said Guenard.

Those funds are not just for the pool, either, and he said the college "can't do everything all at once."

Community members mentioned making swim classes a requirement to garner student use.

Dean of Students Jeanne Graham, said, "Physical education courses are not part of the degree programs" offered at GCC.

She mentioned programs in the past to garner student interest in physical education courses, such as bowling, but said "students are not interested in paying for a course" which is not required for their degree. "There is not the interest," she said.

Graham also mentioned financial aid restrictions play a role, and "around 75 percent" of GCC's students are on financial aid.

Guenard mentioned he hopes to get another engineering firm to assess the pool, but most firms want the pool drained. The pool cannot be drained until next spring at the earliest.

He also said that GCC wants to make sure the Barracuda Swim Team can at least finish out its season before the pool would possibly be drained.

Regarding any changes or updates to the pool, Guenard said, "If we're going to do it, we want to do it right."

Community assistance

Diane Oliver, of Snowflake Aquatics, and her team, have been managing and caring for the pool since 2002.

There are several issues with the pool system, as OHM reported, and Oliver said there is wear in the bottom of the center lanes of the pool. This area has been fixed once before, but no one is quite sure what is causing the deterioration.

"Not knowing what's causing the problem is the biggest problem," she said.

Oliver kept repeating the need for community assistance to keep the pool running and programs offered. "I need help," she said.

Oliver said Snowflake Aquatics used to have board meetings, but she has not held many recently.

Several community members expressed an interest in creating a committee to address the pool issues and create a further plan for action.

By the end of the meeting, several in attendance had agreed to take part.

Fund-raising options

Lagalo spoke about grants she had researched, but knows that she alone cannot apply for these grants. Most of the grants must go through the college, because it owns the facility.

One woman suggested possibly asking state Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, or other officials about assistance. She also said the pool could possibly be used to help with therapy.

Another woman suggested the creation of a Gogebic Range community pass that could be used at all GCC facilities, including the pool and ski hill. Many others agreed this could be a great option.

She said, "I'd like to see our area be progressive, not regressive," and she said the pass could help with that.

Another woman suggested possibly asking for millage on the next ballot.

Lagalo said she had discussed the idea with GCC President Jim Lorensen, but he said, "he would not apply for millage if it wasn't to support academic purposes."

A man also said people would not vote for a millage countywide and that "more taxes is not the answer."

Lagalo encouraged any other ideas and said, "We need your ideas to be ahead of the game."

Ideas can be submitted to Lagalo by calling 906-364-3982.