Multi-million-dollar, taxpayer funded aquatic center still has no opening date

May 23, 2012|Emily Wood, KY3 News | ewood@ky3.com

Bolivar, Mo. --Instead of swimming in their brand new $6 million pool, City of Bolivar taxpayers are swimming in a series of construction delays.

"I don't know for sure when the pool is going to be open," said Darin Chappell, Bolivar City Administrator.

The new center, funded through a tax initiative, was first set to open September 2011, but that that opening has been pushed back.

"There are questions about whether the concrete was poured correctly and handled thereafter," Chappell said.

A consulting engineer for Bolivar, John Forrester with Olsson Associates, said control joints were not installed at the proper time, resulting in the concrete cracking prematurely. He said the problem can be repaired and that it is up to city leaders to make a decision on how they plan to proceed with the project.

Chappell said the city is working with the construction company in charge to make the corrections. Wirt Flavin Construction, the company heading the project, could not be reached for comment.

"It's a little bit disappointing that all that's going on. I feel like we were kind of excited to take the kids here and everything," said Lori Kretz, one of the locals left looking for other places to take her little ones this summer.

In addition to the construction delays, city leaders are also still in negotiations with YMCA leaders to determine if the organization will get to collect on any money received at the new aquatic center, and if so, how much. The Bolivar City Clerk said attorney fees for those negotiations, along with construction isses, have already cost the city more than $4,000.

"I think the City of Bolivar wanted to be special," said Brad Toft, C.E.O of the Ozarks Regional YMCA.

Toft said partnering with the yMCA brings will bring benefits to Bolivar.

"We are planning a full program offering for that pool, including: swim team, swimming lessons, and a full schedule of water exercise classes," Toft said.

Toft said Bolivar residents who are not YMCA members should expect to pay seasonal or daily fees. He said how how the city and the YMCA will share revenue is yet to be determined.

"It'd be nice if they could get the problem solved for their own sake, because there are a lot of people that want to use the pool," Kretz said.

Staff members at the Bolivar YMCA said it will likley cost six dollars a day per person, per day, for people without YMCA memberships to attend the aquatic center. That fee would apply to residents and non-residents alike. YMCA members from around the area would be granted access at no charge.

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