Since the bathhouse is structurally sound, the architects have decided to gut the structure, add family changing rooms and private showers, and making it ADA compliant. Amenities include a zero entry to the pool and heater. Optional amenities include a climbing wall and new slides.
The Municipal website includes these preliminary schematics to the bath house:
Floor Plans
Elevations
Presentation
The budget is $3.3 million. Resident Bill Lewis asked for clarification on upkeep costs, but none were available.
Update: March 26, 2013 1:48 PM From the Municipal website:
Goals for the renovation are as follows:
Pool
- Replace plumbing and gutters.
- Replace filtration system.
- Add pool heater.
- Sand blast and epoxy paint pool.
- Replace concrete deck/ modify design.
- Replace deck equipment.
- Add zero depth beach entry.
- Perform renovations to meet ADA codes.
Bathhouse
- Perform renovations to meet ADA codes and add family changing facilities.
- Perform interior cosmetic and amenity upgrades.
- Renovate, redesign, and upgrade all HVAC plumbing and electrical systems.
- Improve the efficiency of the patron admission process, and allow direct entry to the facility without passing through the changing areas.
Additional Alternate Improvements
- Add splash pad.
- Add combination flume and speed slide.
- Add small flume slide.
- Add poolside climbing wall.
- Add leisure spray features.
- Add ADA parking
Although there are no cost estimates for the project yet, the budget is $3.3 million. Work is set to start the day after Labor Day, after the 2013 season ends and conclude before the start of the 2014 sessions so swimmers do not miss any time in the water.
Public comment is welcome to ddonnellan@mtlebanon.org. To keep the project on schedule, the deadline for comments is April 2.
Podcast from last night's presentation is available here.
22 comments:
EPM and Wade will not supply 'Total Cost of Ownership' (TCO) because they don't care what they are (once their fees are paid they're out of here) and the commissioners never thought deeply enough to ask.
Here's the thing, the pool needs an upgrade so bad that any post-maintenance costs will likely be less than current maintenance costs.
I'm all for the pool project and am hopeful that when I see the presentation it will not include crazy bells and whistles (like a floating river).
I'd like it to be fixed, perhaps expanded for for goodness sakes add a heater and pool cover.
10:56 I'm on board with that. We don't need bells and whistles and we certainly don't need a climbing wall.
But, one of the things that turned the pool into such a swamp was the lack of daily upkeep and maintenance.
The lockerrooerrand snack bar were pigstyes and the blame doesn't all fall on the staff. Our oh so elete neighbors aren't so elete.
The county wave pools are treated better by less affluent and educated people.
yeah 10:56, as long as the pool passes and fees are increased to pay for your and all others wishes & wants.
The $3.3 million in bond costs will not be recovered in fees but paid with real estate millage by the majority of local property owners who do not use the pool. And in this regard, if you are one of the aqua-clubbers, please acknowledge that a high percentage of your membership is comprised of non-Lebo families or property owners.
I will be adding a link to last night's presentation shortly.
A couple of things. There will not be a cover for the pool because it is too big. I uploaded the commission discussion session podcast to lebocitizens.com.
Elaine
12:42 I'm thinking 10:56 is being pretty fair, unless you know for sure the pool doesn't need major maintenance. Last time I went there the rippling in the bottom caused me some concern, but it wasn't the reason we quit using it.
The locker rooms were filthy, I wouldn't recommend buying anything from the snack bar that wasn't prepackaged and got tired of having to get out of the water because some kid used it as a toilet.
We really don't need a tennis center, ice rink or golf course as many communities don't have such luxuries. But, they are things that make Lebo a nice place to live. Most communities in western PA do have a pool facility, it doesn't have to be a full-fledged water park, but it should be decent, safe and...... clean.
2:23 PM...and not operate at a financial loss so the rest of the taxpayers not have to pay that bill as well as the capital cost.
2:34 I think sometimes you have to accept a little, I won't call it financial loss, expense for some amenities.
There are many roads in Mt. Lebanon I never drive on though our taxes pay the capital costs. I really don't use the tennis facility, but I don't mind driving relatives or friends by it when I'm giving them a tour of the community.
Does any community pool operate at a profit? Do the county wave pools?
Having said that, I don't suggest you go crazy providing every amenity for every want.
12:24 a high percentage? what is that percentage? where did you get your information?
The Aqua club rents both the HS and outdoor pool does it not?
4:04-- I think you meant 12:42.
Does it matter if the aqua-club is comprised of 20% or 60% Lebo residents.
If its 60% non-residents the club probably wouldn't exist at all forcing the Lebo kids to go elsewhere.
The other point to consider do they cut into residents use of the pool?
From what I understand they practice before or after the pool is open to the public. So any fees the club pays is extra revenue for the pool. Kick the club out and the filters are still running and water is still evaporating and you've lost the fees.
As a resident, if you want to swim at 7 in the morning or at 10 pm in the evening, I guess you have a legitimate argument.
And no I have absolutely no connection to the aqua club. I can't even tell you who runs it.
12:42
I think you need to better understand the AquaClub. Their fees pay more than their fair share.
The idea being a pool cover is that it can extend the yearly use of the pool.
As I understand it right now, the pool turns a profit by July 4th every year. So yes, it is well used and can be considered a financial asset and not a financial sinkhole. The same can be said for the tennis center. While taxpayers do fund capital improvements for these facilities, over time we reap most, if not all, of that investment back through usage fees.
I would think that the July 4th profit date does not include bond payments as part of the expense side of the income statement. That does need to be taken into account.
Not all debt is bad debt.
12:24 - You clearly don't understand the Aqua Club. The majority are Mt. Lebo residents. As stated, the Aqua Club has for years paid substantially higher use fees than other area swim clubs. Did you know that the Aqua Club has for years been responsible for running both the school district and municipality lessons program? Probably not. The club has given substantially to this community for years - our kids volunteer to teach lessons to our children, many unpaid. Swimming is the only sport that can save your life. This organization has never asserted itself as its land-based counterparts have. So, 12:24, please research some before you prove yourself to be uninformed.
Does anyone remember this from December 2010?
"The Aqua Club will donate $50,000 or 50% of Muni pool improvements that include, among other things, a pool cover to retain water temps overnight that will allow extended seasonal usage of the pool. They have also agreed to pay the utility costs for extended usage."
http://lebocitizens.blogspot.com/2010/12/upmc-athletic-training-and-physician.html
Another donation from a sports group that never materialized.
I hope the Aqua Club will come through this time.
Elaine
No don't remember that at all, but hey if it's something they want they should cover a hefty part of it.
Same for the land-based sports, if need something more than what the community van provide such as articial turf thegroup should pay for it.
But with the new indoor high school pool doesn't that alleviate some of the problem scheduling pool time due to cold weather?
Elaine, it said 50 %, if the municipality doesn't want it then what part of 0 will make you happy?
I don't understand your comment.
Sports Advisory Board podcast has been uploaded on Lebo Citizens.
http://www.lebocitizens.com/Lebo_Citizens/Podcasts/Entries/2013/3/26_Sports_Advisory_Board.html
Elaine
I think Elaine what 12:38 is asking you that since the municipality doesn't want a pool cover what percent of the non-specified cover do you think the aqua club should pay. That makes sense. If they pledged to pay $50,000 or a percentage of the cost for a cover and there is no cover why should they be held to a payment.
But... Its not quite that simple, there's more.
The municipality is also thinking about a heating system for the pool water. Is that a general public request or an aqua club want?
There was no heater before. So there should be a discussion on this part of the plan. Can we afford to heat the pool, what impact will that have on the operating budget, how will it affect pool fees and lastly what does the environmental sustainability board think about heating thousands of gallons of water?
6:58 AM, the way I interpreted 12:38's question was that the municipality rejected their donation of $50,000. I was at the discussion sessions when it was said that the Aqua Club had to back out because they didn't have the funds.
The architects pointed out a space on the plans which was to be for Aqua Club's use. I would hope that the municipality approaches Aqua Club and asks them to contribute.
Elaine
That is interesting, Elaine, in that these sports groups keep asking for stuff with pledges to contribute towards the 'stuff', but then back out due to the lack of money.
I'm going to try that when it comes time to trade in the old Chevy. I'm going to tell the dealer, it would really be nice to have a big SUV, with a moon roof, big V8, GPS, back up camera, premium sound system, heated seats, etc. And I'm willing to put 50% down. Then when the dealer puts together the deal, writes up the paperwork, I'm going to say, oops sorry, I don't have the 50% down payment and I only want to pay around what my monthly payments were on the old Chevy!
Wonder how that'll go over?
Happens all the time 9:00....the dealer keeps the same payment and just extends the term.
Yes 3:50 you're right and when the term exceeds the life of the vehicle you end upside down.
The district is trying to decrease energy costs while the municipality wants to increase energy costs by heating the pool.
The district has been cutting the athletic budget while the municipality wants to increase the athletic budget with million dollar turf projects.
It sounds like our two governments are working at cross purposes with their spending/taxing priorities.
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