The professionals have taken a look at Aurora’s swimming pool and the verdict is it will be closed for the summer.
Trent Thompson, director of the Aurora Parks Department, reported to the park board Monday night on what representatives from Continental Pools of Kansas City found when doing their assessment.
Items found included:
• Some valves are corroded open, some corroded closed and others have completely disintegrated.
• The sand filter is pitted and rusting through.
• The underground iron pipes have multiple leaks.
• The skimmer was not working.
• Additional break testing will be necessary in the form of drilling core samples in the bottom of the pool to determine the condition of the concrete.
Once the core drilling is complete, the extent of the renovations will be known, reported Thompson. He suggested a combined meeting of the park board and city council to discuss budget issues, according to the minutes of the meeting.
Board member Mike McKay made a motion to close the swimming pool for the summer and direct Thompson to seek bids for core drilling. Board member Virginia Swaim seconded the motion. Voting for the motion were Kirstin Bloss (president), Thomas Rysted, Jennifer Woody, McKay and Swaim. Members David Walker, Greg Moore and Theresa Pettit were absent.
In other action, the board:
• authorized an agreement with Vaught Construction for walkways on walking trail in White Park. The company’s bid was $8,292, the lowest of three bids received. The work is to be completed by the end of July. The walks start by the tennis courts going toward the concession stand by the softball field, around the concession stand and then branch off to the field and over to the playground. From there, they go to the back side of the tennis courts and to the the skate park.
• authorized the emergency purchase of a mower. Thompson noted that only one mower in the department was currently working. Attempts had been made to patch up an older mower, but it is not reliable. Thompson indicated he had spoken with the park board president and city manager, who both had agreed to the emergency purchase of a new mower. Thompson had received six sealed bids, with the low bid coming from Larson Farm and Lawn, Inc. for $10,977.00. All members present voted in favor of the purchase.
• considered a donation of land from Virginia Ozbun. The tract of land, containing just under 10 acres, adjoins Baldwin Park on the southeast corner. Her only request was that the city pay for the appraisal. She has already signed an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency so it can do an assessment.
The land could be used for a pistol/rifle range for the police department, according to the report. Since the land would not be open for public use, clean up would not be required. All members present voted in favor of paying for the appraisal and accepting the donation.
Aurora, Mo. —
