Clarion Borough Council is committed to opening the public pool along Liberty Street this summer, even though the Clarion County YMCA will not manage operation of the facility.
Council members agreed at a meeting earlier this month to authorize its recreation committee to negotiate and execute a contract with USA Pool Management for oversight and operation of the Clarion Borough Pool at a cost not to exceed $26,530.
If approved, the pool would be open from 1 to 7 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Estimated pool income for 2021 is $17,745.
The contract with USA Pool Management is contingent on the pool “holding water and the pipes working.”
The YMCA notified the borough by letter in February that it would not be renewing its pool management agreement with the borough.
“We thank Clarion Borough for a long-standing, good relationship in helping the Y manage the pool and the positive impact our partnership has made for the community,” wrote branch director Jesse Kelley. “With increasing operating demands on the new YMCA, we feel that it’s necessary to make this change.”
Recreation committee chair Rachel Roberts said the YMCA’s decision led to public speculation that the pool would not open this year.
Roberts said it has been council’s intention to open the pool this season.
Council member Ben Aaron said the recreation committee tried to find a management company to run the pool this year and determined USA Pool Management was the best choice. It was also the only pool management company interested in the contract.
Aaron said USA Pool sent a 32-page proposal, and he found the company to be thorough and qualified.
“I think it (the proposed fee) is well worth it,” said council President Carol Lapinto. “I like the idea that they will find and train the lifeguards. That’s always been a challenge.”
Council member Brenda Sanders Dede voted against the proposal, saying she would prefer to see additional proposals from other companies.
Council member Keaton Macbeth stressed the contract with USA Pool is dependent on the pool holding water.
“What if the pool is junk?” Macbeth asked.
“Then we have other decisions to make,” Lapinto replied.