Should the city reopen Magnolia Pool this summer?
The pool is one of three run by Rohnert Park, but was closed last year because of budget cuts.
Now some have suggested reopening the “M Pool”, to give residents of the neighborhood a place to seek relief from the summer heat.
But with Rohnert Park facing nearly a $1 million budget deficit by the start of summer, is it something the city can even afford?
Opinions among city council are mixed.
Jake Mackenzie and Mayor Pam Stafford say the city can’t afford the $22,000 it would cost to operate Magnolia for the season. Plus, the attendance at Magnolia has historically been lower than at other pools and “not something that inspires confidence,” according to Mackenzie.
But Councilmembers Amy Ahanotu and Joe Callinan said $22,000 is a small price to pay to provide a service for local families.
“We should have our amenities up and running; that’s what economic development means,” said Callinan at Tuesday’s council meeting. “It’s a great investment for us, considering the citizens are giving us $2.6 million a year in Measure E money.”
With opinions evenly split and Councilwoman Gina Belforte absent, the council will vote on the issue in April.
What do you think? Should the city spend $22,000 to reopen the Magnolia pool?
That's why we are in the mess we are in....stop spending money we don't have! And to Mr. Callinan....We did not give you 2.6 million a year to waste...remember that."Measure E creates a temporary, guaranteed source of local funding for essential city services that cannot be taken by Sacramento." Just my thoughts...that's all.
We do not need to have another pool across the street just on the other side of Bodway. We have a pool that we have been maintaining in a ready to open status at a cost of about $15,000 a year. Last year it would have cost only $8,000 to reopen the pool, now that cost is up to $22,000. The M pool is only 12 years old.
Now that there are less pools in RP (only one now) of course there will be more people wanting to swim at M pool. There are still kids in living in Rohnert Park and it would be nice for them to have a healthy activity choice in their city instead of having to drive to Santa Rosa to swim. The city council needs to remember that they work for us - and we should have a say where some of our tax dollars go. We aren't asking for much, in fact a lot less than the $8 million dollar city hall they are sitting in. Amy and Joe, you have my vote next election time! Thank you for thinking of us.
I am just 1 swimmer and i have spent over 270.00 this year alone on my local pool fees. This pool is a valuable asset and it is very dissapointing to see this resource goimg to waste from non use.