Pool report spawns much opinion on facility's future
<span>CHESTER -- As expected, the results of the Burbach Aquatics' inspection report on Chester Municipal Pool was discussed at length on social media.</span>
<span>The report estimated construction costs of renovating the pool at $5.7 million, more than 100 times the $50,000 price the 75-year-old facility was built for in 1939.</span>
<span>And posts to the Herald Tribune's Facebook page contained responses to the high number.</span>
<span>"It better be a real nice one for that amount of money!" wrote April Martinez.</span>
<span>As far as what to do with the pool, responses varied from fixing it to building a new one to repurposing it into other forms of recreation and entertainment.</span>
<span>"Fill it in and make an amphitheater out of it," wrote Jimmie Simmons. "Have live bands and entertainment (throughout) the year and could charge admission at the gate.</span>
<span>"If needed, move the Popeye Picnic there and build the pool somewhere else and designed to meet swim meet rules and regulations."</span>
<span>Support for the amphitheater option appeared to be significant, with 28 people "liking" Simmons' post.</span>
<span>"I agree," wrote Anita Bievenue. "I've always said that an amphitheater would be a great use of this historic area of Chester.</span>
<span>"We wouldn't lose the history and Chester would add another useful venue."</span>
<span>There was also support for a civic/recreation center, with Perry Park Center in Perryville being mentioned in comparison.</span>
<span>"The kids need something to do in this town," wrote Tim Hathaway. "I agree with the idea of a park center.</span>
<span>"Something with a theater, swimming pool, weight room, racquetball...adults and kids can enjoy!"</span>
<span>Support for the Chester Stingrays swim teams, which became homeless when the pool closed on June 27, was also strong. The Stingrays moved their "home" meets to the Perry Park Center, a 15-mile drive away.</span>
<span>"I'm sorry that not everyone understands the swim teams," wrote Mary Jane Gross. "There were close to 70 kids on the swim teams' roster this past summer.</span>
<span>"We can't even host home meets, which draws a lot of people. The conference meet draws hundreds, which we also can't host."</span>
<span>Gross also wrote the meets would bring revenue to Chester and are good exercise and competition for the city's youth.</span>
<span>And others expressed their hopes that the city would find a way to fix the current pool.</span>
<span>"I hope there is a way to make this happen," wrote Adam Gibbs. "Chester will lose a little more of what makes it special if we lose our pool. It's a landmark."</span>
<span>In statements to the Herald Tribune, Chester Mayor Tom Page said city council members are taking time to "absorb" the inspection report before discussions on its future begin.</span>
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