Comments on: Task Force Floats Ways to Save Mack Pool

By: bobby frank

bobby frank — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:38:58 +0000

Ionization is a simple way to save thousands of dollars per year in chlorine costs, while making the pool more pleasant to swim in. However, as state at the main meeting, the pool would still have to use about a third of the chlorine previously used so it would not be chlorine free, just 2/3 reduced. The A2 Chronicle article did not mention that Replacing the current pumps with VFD (variable frequency pumps) would save lots of energy; and are eligible for large rebates from DTE’s largely hidden, but available, generous rebate program.
Johnson Controls did the earlier energy audit of the pool, They typically look at things that will make them lots of money, rather than what is cost effective for the client. The fact that they didn’t mention ionization, pool blankets, Energy efficient (VFD) pumps that run 24 hours/day, alcohol based evaporation suppressants, and many other cost effective measures is telling. These things all pay back in one year in savings and cost little, so Johnson controls can’t really make any money on them.

By: swim mom

swim mom — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:59:43 +0000

Did I miss something, or did I see that no one mentioned contacting local swim clubs to see if they are interested in renting the pool for practice time? Also, I’m told that the air quality in the pool area is pretty bad, which prohibits some from using it. Any mention of that?

By: Cathy Antonakos

Cathy Antonakos — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:40:47 +0000

I have enjoyed swimming at Mack Pool for years. The staff are pleasant and the pool is not over-crowded. Mack Pool is accessible to people in the community who do not have enough money to join the YMCA.

Re: different types of swim passes — I would love to buy a 20-swim ticket pack, or something like that. Once I have the passes, I’m more likely to swim. It would be less expensive than a full year pass, and would fit my family’s needs.

By: Char Hanchak

Char Hanchak — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:22:28 +0000

On the lighter side, the whale offered the perfect backdrop for the Mach Pool discussion.

By: yet another

yet another — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:14:35 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with seeking ways to make small neighborhood civic programs more financially efficient. Still, Rob [#5] is correct in that the money to continue funding the pool (and the senior center) is still out there, while city council has now become less than willing to allocate it, preferring to let programs like this sink and drown. A valiant rescue operation by concerned volunteer citizens should be unnecessary.

The proposed city hall sculpture represents a one-time expense of almost $1 million. Savings from its cancellation, while helpful for a few years, cannot indefinitely be carried into the future. However, it’s entirely fair to insist that the One Percent for Art fund — the ongoing “pool” of city money which is supposed to underwrite the sculpture — can regularly be “pirated” in the years ahead to support smaller, worthwhile community programs. Let’s restructure the OPFA fund and expand its funding targets in the city budget to include services, so as to make these line items seaworthy again.

As for voting out the current crop of politicians, keep in mind that some aspiring, would-be council people bring an agenda — such as a full downtown greenway — that also places services like the Mack pool or the Burns Park senior center in lower priority to a greater civic ambition.

By: Cosmonican

Cosmonican — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:36:29 +0000

David #9, I suppose so, but aren’t those the public hours now? I don’t know.

Merely tried to put some perspective on how we got here from my recollections. I have no opinion on how to resolve this, though when the facility was built the school was K-6, and it probably made sense at the time. If the only kids allowed in were 7th and 8th graders so the curriculum matched the other schools, and they were there at specific hours, with sufficient security arrangements I don’t see why more time during the school day couldn’t be alloted to other groups.

Time sharing is only one of the problems at that pool as stated in the article. Lack of use is noted as well as a need to enhance revenue, at a glance the rates seem too low, perhaps lap swimmers could rent lanes by the hour.

By: David

David — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:01:36 +0000

Cosmo #7, one could then consider early morning (before school starts), late afternoon/evening hours (once all school activities are over) and weekends (when there is no school).

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:15:00 +0000

FYI, Mack School is not just an elementary school. It is also a middle school. It’s K-8.

By: Cosmonican

Cosmonican — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:56:39 +0000

David #6, the problem with your solution is that all of the other school pools are in middle and high schools, and are used for instruction throughout the day. There are too many liabilities obviously to have unvetted adults mixing with unaccompanied children in locker rooms, not to mention the scheduling problems.

Mack is the only elementary school in town with a pool. The pool was originally built to be for community use, like Vet’s and Fuller, and the only one with year round capability. The kids got to use it because it was there, but it was never intended that way. Out of fairness to all of the other elementary school children in town, they really should not be using it.

The problem is with adults near school grounds during the day, otherwise it should be open to community groups and individuals just like a pool at the Y or a private facility.

By: David

David — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:18:48 +0000

Mary, thanks for the clarification. It appears to be too simple a solution, but if the city closed Mack Pool to public access could the other schools open up theirs? The schools are already paying for pool upkeep so I would not imagine allowing public access would significantly increase those fees. Income from access fees should be able to cover any cost increases.