Bid by November, repairs in off-season at Du Quoin pool

By late November the City of Du Quoin should know both the cost of its swimming pool renovations and identify the means to pay for them.

With more than $30,000 on hand through generous local contributions and another $40,000 available in borrowing that is being bundled with other repairs in the city, Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi and park board member Joe Stephens Tuesday began their plan to renovate the town's 37-year-old swimming pool.

A preliminary inspection and assessment was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday by Sam Williamson from Midwest Pools, Inc. in St. Louis.

Williamson met Mayor Alongi, Stephenson, city engineer Doug Bishop, finance staff member Chuck Novak and pool manager Nicole Heape poolside.

Last April as the pool was about to be opened Alongi and Stephenson worried that the city may be faced with the pool's closure or replacement that would be tied to large bond issue of $2 million or more. A $27,000 expenditure went a long way toward fixing immediate problems.

During an hour-long meeting Tuesday morning, Williamson's assessment keyed on excavating out the patios on the north and west walls of the diving end, installing new steel uprights to remedy visible bows in those areas of the sidewall, repairing joint leaks, replastering the floor of the pool, replacing various gauges and other small items in the pump house, checking and replacing plumbing where needed and possible restoration of the three diving boards.

He also provided tips on how to find the water leakage locations.

He said all of these things are common with aging municipal and rec center pools. He said he sees nothing that isn't doable to get another 10-12 years of life out of this pool, built in 1978.

The cost could approach $300,000 and the mayor wants to identify the funding sources for it over a three-year-period.

He said some of the money is in place and more will com. Lenders like Champion Communities could provide low coast lending and there may even be another funding vehicle in place that he will talk about in late September or October.

Williamson said he can provide the city with a firm price by late November and accomplish the work over the winter or early spring. It can be done as an "emergency repair" without taking bids.

In the meantime, tax deductible private and organizational donations can be made to the City of Du Quoin. A special swimming pool account is already in place.