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Park board meeting sets citizens in motion

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Several themes were sounded at a meeting of those interested in the future of the Harrisburg Township Park pool on Tuesday.

The public forum was conducted by the park board to make the public more aware of the financial plight of the board in handling a pool that is far above its expected life expectancy.

Many speakers carried a strong message of nostalgia as they recalled growing up at the pool. Park officials indicated that probably isn't as much the case today as the attendance numbers are dwindling year by year.

Then there was a strong theme of "there's got to be a way" to save the pool or build another.

That theme won the evening as park board secretary and treasurer Ron Emery urged those attending to get together and find ways to raise money.

He said the board did not enter the meeting with a desire to close the pool. Board members are looking for ways to keep a pool.

"We are going to keep this way out and open in the public," he said.

Although the entire three-member board must make the decision on the pool, he told the gathering - mainly members of the Bullfish swim team, former members and parents - at least $10,000 would need to be raised to keep the pool open another year.

That sum, combined with a proposal of pool manager Melonie Motsinger to raise fees and reduce expenses, might keep the pool open a year - barring unforeseen major equipment failures, which in recent years have become routine.

The gathering of pool supporters desired to see the pool remain open until a proposal can be developed to place a referendum on the ballot to rebuild or build a pool.

Motsinger sounded her own warning to the group: "This group can't be just Bullfish. It can't be just us. We can't be just the Bullfish needing a new pool."

Emery pointed out selling an issue to the voters would mean a lot of hard work and needed to involve a broad community base.

The park board, he told the group, has looked at both the cost of a major revamping of the present pool and the cost of a new pool.

"We've got a problem. We've had a problem for a long time," he said.

A basic new pool, he said, would cost about $2.1 million and an indoor pool complex would cost $6 to $7 million.

"Is Harrisburg going to be willing to vote for it?" he asked the group.

Repair of the present pool, he said, would cost about $750,000.

Emery said the problems with pool finances are not new. The cost of operation has been rising and the attendance has been dropping off.

While many are remembering glory days of the pool, he said the cost of insurance has lowered the pool to being a "one-dimensional pool."

Slides, kiddie pool area and dives have disappeared because of high liability.

"It is a broken down pool," he said. "Our park is deteriorated."

Those attending were told the park board has reached its maximum for taxation and each penny is carefully appropriated by the board.

In many areas of park activities, groups have banded together to generate funds to pay for parts of the park. As example, he pointed to Harrisburg Youth Athletics which this year raised $93,000 to fund various ball field activities using park grounds.

The soccer program also raises its own money to fund a program.

Bullfish, Emery said, has not raised funds.

To keep the pool in operation, the park's General Fund has had to loan operating money to the pool, which by law must be self-sufficient.

During the 2008 pool season, the debt was $20,220. During the past four years, the total is $36,227.

During the same four years, pool revenues have shown a slight increase; expenses have a marked increase.

The effect of lowered attendance was emphasized by Emery when he said in 1995, pool revenues were about $45,000. This year, the total was just under $30,000.

Most of the speakers carried themes of local businesses suffering if the pool, and Bullfish, cease to exist; the pool is the basis for lifetime sports; and during the summer, it is a place where athletes can condition.

Some saw the pool in a different light.

Susan Russell observed most of the kids who use the pool also are the community's most at-risk kids.

"The parenting at the pool is the most parenting they get," she said.

Another, Dr. Matt Winkleman, pointed out obesity "has become an epidemic" and the pool is one answer. He said many adults also could benefit from pool activities.

"It is worth an investment from the community and park district as well," he said.

While the death of the Bullfish has been heralded as probable should the pool close, Motsinger said the club could remain alive, but at a greatly reduced size, should permission be received to use the Country Club pool.

That, she indicated, would not be a situation she would like to see. Presently about 100 young people are on the team. If the public pool should close, the team would need to be reduced to the point where "only the best of the best would be on it.

"I can't imagine telling a child 'you aren't good enough to do this,'" Motsinger said.

"I have heard your hearts; I haven't heard very many answers," Emery told the group, encouraging them to organize to help find answers.