Editor’s Note: This story is part of a month-long series that highlights 31 ideas included in the “Mansfield Rising” plan. The 67-page document was created by 15 local leaders after attending the South by Southwest Conference last March in Austin, Texas.
Idea 21: Build a community pool
Remember Maura Teynor’s SXSW blog about the importance of investing in community pools?
While Austin is much larger than Mansfield, there are smaller cities in and around our county with community pools. The city of Mansfield has struggled to repair its only community pool at Liberty Park over the years and anticipate the need to replace it in the upcoming years.
The need for a community pool is important as a gathering space, to promote a sense of community and improve the health and well-being of local citizens. Aside from this, community pools are an essential piece of a city to engage in recreational activities.
Liberty Pool has served its purpose as a place for people to cool off in the summer heat. However, the team recommends a competition-size pool with the possibility of indoor and outdoor opportunities.
The addition of an indoor pool could serve local high school swim team needs as they currently rent pool-time from the Mansfield Area Y, Friendly House, and Malabar Intermediate School.
Having a centrally-located pool to serve the entire city is imperative. Without one, future generations could grow up without knowing how to swim.
• Northwest corner of Fourth and Bowman Streets (former school site)
• Maple Lake Park
• Cline Avenue (former school site)
• Adjacent to a pool and/or community center
Join us for a live discussion of the “Ideas of March” series and the “Mansfield Rising” plan on Thursday, April 4.
Cost: $5-$6M for an outdoor pool complex. If building something as elaborate as this picture of Hiawatha Water Park in Mount Vernon, Ohio, it would be necessary to create a sustainability plan to ensure long-term benefit to the community. Consider investigating potential levy options as well as a membership fee structure. A bond issuance could be considered to spread the capital cost over a 10-15 year term. An indoor pool could be incorporated with a community center as part of a long-range plan. Annual operating cost for Hiawatha in Mount Vernon is approximately $364,500.
Partners: City of Mansfield – City Council and Parks Department, local funders, Mansfield Area Y, Mansfield City School District, Richland County Land Bank (future demolition sites). A supporter of Hiawatha was realtors as a new community pool became a benefit to sales.
Timeline: 24-48 months but community conversations will need to occur first to get input on needs in the community and location opportunities.
