MANSFIELD — A “major issue” that closed the City of Mansfield’s only public pool in August at Liberty Park may have quickened the pace for a new aquatics center.
The City of Mansfield plans to put a 0.25 percent income tax issue on the 2022 primary ballot with the goal of building a new, $8 million facility at the same park on the city’s northeast side.
The funds raised would only be used for the city parks and recreation department, officials said, beginning on Jan. 1, 2023.
The new aquatics center is part of the City of Mansfield’s $29 million “master parks” plan, the framework of which council approved in 2020.
Mansfield City Parks master plan draft
City of Mansfield Parks & Recreation Supt. Mark Abrams broke the news Tuesday evening during a City Council finance committee budget hearing for 2022 when asked why there was no money in the budget for the pool.
Abrams said there was a problem inside a “water line that’s probably been buried for 85 years” that led to problems with the retaining wall inside the pool pump house. The aging pool opened in 1938. The city has been forced to close the pool early the last two years due to maintenance problems.
“We’re not exactly sure why it blew out or how, but there’s a major issue,” Abrams told council. “We will not be opening the pool in 2022.”
Abrams said the administration will bring legislation to City Council on Nov. 3, seeking approval to put a four-year, 0.25-percent income tax increase on the ballot in May that would raise about $14.8 million in total.
The proposal is scheduled to be discussed during caucus on Nov. 3 with readings on Nov. 16 and Dec. 7. A vote is scheduled for Dec. 21.
Abrams said the tax would generate about $3.7 million annually, which would be used to build the new pool/aquatics center and also begin work on other aspects of the “master parks” plan.
Currently, the only money going to the parks and recreation department is $850,000 a year from the city’s parks, recreation, illumination, demolitions and emergency services (PRIDE) tax, which was successfully renewed by voters earlier this year.
About two thirds of that PRIDE money for parks is used for mowing and maintenance, the city has said. Abrams said city voters need to approve the levy if they want a new public pool.
“I don’t think there’s any other way to do it. I didn’t really want to try to raise taxes, but I don’t think it’ll ever get done if we don’t,” he said.
If approved in May, Abrams said it would take about two years to design and build the new pool/aquatics facility, which would take about seven of the park’s 25 acres.
He told City Council on Tuesday that splash pads at Johns Park and North Lake will be completed by summer of 2022 and will “offer some form of aquatic activity” while the new pool is built.
He said the proposed new facility would be a significant improvement over the old pool.
“It would be all ADA compliant … zero entry. There would be some water features, like a slide or a climbing wall, something along those lines. Swimming lanes. Lap lanes. Things like that,” he said.
A new community pool was one of the planned improvements identified in the 2019 Mansfield Rising plan.
“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,” those involved with the Mansfield Rising plan said.
“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 plan said.
A parks committee meeting to discuss the levy request is scheduled at 6:50 p.m. scheduled before City Council’s meeting on Nov. 3. Council is meeting one day later than normal since its normal Tuesday meeting day falls on Election Day.
