The people will decide on the future of the Lamar pool

By JOE DAVIS

Ever since the Lamar Aquatic Park closed in early 2022 because of massive leaks and mechanical issues, people started to wonder, “will the pool ever reopen?”. Well, after three years of speculation, town hall meetings and heated discussions between several different “pool committees,” we may finally get an answer. On November 4, the people of Lamar will vote Yes or No on a ½ cent sales tax to pay for a 30-year, 4.4 million dollar loan (estimated) for a new pool. If passed this loan will pay for the removal of the current pool, the construction of a new one and operation costs associated with the new pool (staff, utilities, insurance, etc). I sat down with City Administrator Rusty Rives and asked him what exactly this ballot issue meant and how it will affect the citizens of Lamar. I also asked him about the last several years that led up to the pool being closed in 2022.

Q: Let me ask an easy question first. Whenever people hear “tax increase,” they usually get angry. Most people in this country believe that they are taxed enough, whether it is on a federal, state of local level. If this ballot issue passes on November 4, what will it mean, as far as how much it will cost taxpayers?

A: A ½ cent sales tax increase will mean that for every $100 you spend in Lamar, you will pay an additional .50 cents. Spend $500, you will pay an additional $2.50. Spend $1,000 in Lamar, it will set you back an extra $5.00.

Q: Is putting this issue on the ballot pretty much the culmination of years of discussing the pool and trying to come up with a solution that most people will be happy with?

A: : Putting the issue on the ballot accomplishes two main points. One is it will give the residents of the city a chance to voice their opinion whether or not they desire to have a pool in their community. Secondly, if passed, it will produce a revenue source that will allow for the construction and operation of the facility without requiring a reduction in other services the city currently provides.

Q: The pool that is currently shut down was opened in 1996. From what I understand, it was never really a money maker and put the city more and more in debt every year. What were some of the factors that made it a “money-pit”, for lack of a better term?

A: People do not realize the exorbitant cost of maintaining a pool ten weeks out of the year. Community pools, in general, usually do not generate enough revenue to pay for themselves. It was pretty typical for the pool to operate at a yearly deficit of over $150,000 per year. It is also very important to note that a very large portion of that was due to the year-round operation of the indoor pool. Another major portion of the expense was from staffing the pool. This includes the manager, lifeguards and other staff members. Also, over the years, admission prices had to be increased to offset the decline in attendance.

Q: I know a lot of people have questions about the “park tax” the people voted in favor of in 2018. What ever happened to that and why did that not help the pool stay open?

A: The 2018 Parks and Storm Water Tax did help the pool stay open. One thing to keep in mind is that tax was not specifically for the pool, it was for the entire park system in Lamar. This includes the pool, City Park, Lamar City Lake, Wheeler Park, Thiebaud Auditorium and Moore Pavilion. Historically, monies were allocated from the General Fund to support the parks system along with all other general activities of the city. The passing of that tax not only allocated increased and dedicated funding for the park system it also allowed other funds to better support public safety and city maintenance items. Several repairs were made to the pool in the years preceding the closing. But when the major problems that ultimately shut down the pool were identified, the expense of those repairs outweighed the feasibility of keeping the pool open. 

Q: The hot topic in Lamar ever since the pool closed is “will it ever open again?” What are some of the biggest challenges that the city has faced when confronted by people who say the city has the money to build a pool, they just choose not to.

A: There are several key points to this question. Around 2015, the city only had about four-million dollars in reserves. That amount of money on hand did not cover the amount recommended by the auditors. A lot of the money currently on hand is a result of projects postponed due to COVID and the increase in interest on investments. The city finances do not work like a household checking account. At home or even in private businesses, money can be moved to cover any cost. In government “fund” accounting the money must stay in the fund it was generated, meaning electric money stays in electric, water in the water fund, and park in the park fund. General can be used in any fund. There are cases where one revenue generating fund (a utility) can loan money, but the fund receiving the loan has to have the ability to pay it back. The General and the Park fund do not generate sustainable revenue to repay a loan as they operate today. We have worked to have open discussions in board meetings to try and educate the community. Our auditors have spoken to these rules and we have even held community meetings explaining how our budget process works. Another key point to this discussion is electric has around ten-million in the bank with around nine-million needed annually for operating cost and another nine-million in projects, on the books, that need to be completed. Water has around one-million in the bank with closer to ten – fifteen million dollars in projects that need to be completed. There have been cases where municipalities have been sued by their citizens for pulling funds from one source such as utilities to fund projects, such as a pool.

Q: I think one of the misconceptions about the “pool situation” the past couple years is the YMCA affiliation. Some seem to think that the Y will swoop in and remedy the situation with a new pool or something along those lines. How do you characterize their involvement, if they are, in fact, involved?

A: The YMCA involvement is a decision that will take place down the road, if after the facility returns to operation.  To the best of my understanding the YMCA does not want to own a facility. They want to utilize the city facility and operate it at a cost to the city.

Q: What do you say to the people who see the city spending money on things like a new bathroom at the park or a new police station or a new kayak rental kiosk?

A: The answer to this is complex and dives into many different areas of community interest and involvement. City Hall and the Lamar Police Department had operated in the same building since 1985, nearly 40 years. Not only were they in drastic need of updates, the operations of the city had outgrown the facility. Adding on to the building was just not a viable option given the building’s design. After US Bank left the square, people began to wonder if anything would ever return to that building and what the future growth or decline of the square would look like. I think everyone can agree the square is of vital importance to our community. The purchase and remodel of the US Bank building on the northwest corner and the remodeling of the police department building not only helped ensure future operations, but it helps to maintain a vital presence on the square and hopefully helps with local economics. To the point of the kayaks and the restroom in the park. People have been asking for a restroom near the playground for a long time. The nearest bathroom was across traffic, in the enclosed shelter, over 225’ away. The passing of the 2018 PSW tax helped lead to improvements like the restrooms, scoreboards, kayak rental station, flowers, and planned future upgrades. In the past those general funds, along with funds from the capital improvement tax had to be used and there simply was not enough money to accomplish those improvements and keep up with other operations. 

Q: If the ballot passes in November, what will the new pool look like and what are some of the priorities when designing a new pool?

A: A lot of this is still open for discussion. A majority of the discussion has involved a single body of water, instead of the current three. This will allow for one filtration and pumping system. This “single body” design will most likely have an area for the swim team, diving boards, and a zero-entry area. The swim team has always been at the center of this discussion since it began.

Q: Will any of the current pool be used in the new design? Lockers, showers, concession stand, etc?

A: We are trying to not get ahead of ourselves but we have talked extensively about what a “new pool” would look like. The main portion of the building will probably remain in place. We will have to update the locker room areas and electrical controls will need to be moved away from the chemicals to reduce corrosion. Something else we discussed was removing the skylights and the walls from the indoor pool area and putting an actual roof on it and have a covered shelter. This could be turned into an area for meeting rooms or rooms for events. Something else that was discussed was having Pickleball courts in this area.

Q: People that grew up in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s in Lamar have fond memories of the original pool and would like the city to just go back to something simple like that. What do you say to those people?

A: I think the overall concept of the new facility will reflect a lot of people’s desire to go back to something simple. We have heard for years that people missed the diving boards. One thing we have come to understand is that the facility must accommodate people of all ages. The old L shaped pool was good for older kids, but not the younger ones. A zero-entry and some play structures would hopefully help accommodate those age groups. 

Q: Expanding on the above question, I know when the current pool was built in 1995, Aquatic Parks were the going trend then and some of the teenagers felt that they weren’t really taken in to consideration when it was built (no diving board for example). How do you weigh the needs of younger kids and the older generation who just want something simple?

A: Like I said with my previous answer, we hope to satisfy all ages with a new pool design. Zero-grade and play structures for the young ones. A deeper area of the pool with diving boards for the older ones.

Q: I don’t think people our age will argue that teenagers today are different than when we grew up. I don’t mean that in a mean-spirited way, just giving my observation. I grew up in Kansas City and the pool was a big part of my childhood, as was sandlot baseball, building forts in the woods and catching crawdads in the creek. I have talked to a lot of people that grew up in Lamar and the pool was also a big part of their everyday lives (in the summer of course). Riding your bike to the pool and baking in the sun while Kissin 92.5 blared through the patio speakers seems to be a reoccurring theme when I talk to people. Was the “newer generation” a factor when discussing and designing a new pool?

A: Fact is attendance was declining. There is always a concern that if you build a facility will the “newer generation use it” or will they work to staff it. That being said, I don’t believe that has been a factor in trying to figure out how to fund it. I think every member of the board wants a pool. The concern is and has always been, can we afford it and is it the best use of city finances. Another discussion that has taken place (not to great length), is would a rec center be a better fit for the community and get more use from a wider range of people than a pool would. Plus, it could be used year-round. Someone even stated that they thought a roller rink would attract more people and get more use than a pool would.

Q: Other than the City Council and the Park Board, several other groups and committees were/are working on a solution to reopen the pool. Have you been in contact with those groups and listened to any suggestions they have had?

A: The primary discussion concerning the pool has always been the sole responsibility of the City Council. The responsibility of the Board of Aldermen is to determine how to fund the facility and operations. They believe that by putting this issue on the ballot it shows that they have heard their constituents and their desire to have a pool in the community and are now working on achieving that goal. Some members of the community have had helpful suggestions such as applying for grants. Others have simply stated “we need a pool.” We (the city) have dedicated many hours to those who wanted to voice an opinion regarding the pool. This includes all groups and individuals who feel strongly about the benefits of having a pool. The job of the City Council was to take all of the opinions and formulate a plan that best serves the community. When and if funding is secured, the community group(s) will play a more vital role in determining the final design. 

Q: If the November ballot issue does not pass, what's next for the pool?

A: I don’t really have an answer for that. I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it. I can tell you that there is not enough revenue generated from the Parks/Storm Water Tax and the property tax levy to support the pool and the rest of the park system. It comes down to budgeting and prioritizing while keeping the best interest of the community as the focal point of the discussion.

That is the end of my Q&A session with Rusty. I would like to thank him for indulging me and helping me with this article. It all started with some questions I had myself. Then I thought that maybe other people had the same questions. So, like most of my other articles, I went in search of the answers and ended up learning a lot more than I thought. You would be hard-pressed to find a person in Lamar that does not want to see the pool reopen or a new pool built. I know people get nervous when they hear that we are having another tax imposed on us but this vote will reflect what the people of Lamar want. And honestly, I think the average person can afford an extra 50 cents for every $100 they spend in Lamar. We have one of the, if not the best park in Southwest Missouri. The only blight on that beautiful park is not having the pool operational. It has been a part of Lamar since August 4, 1957, almost 25,000 days ago. Let’s make sure it is part of our lives for another 25,000 days.

Please get out and vote!