BIBLE HILL - Scotia Pool patrons have a renewed sense of hope that the facility may remain open.
About 30 people interested in the fate of the Bible Hill-based facility attended a Village of Bible Hill meeting last night in which the pool's future was discussed.
Village commissioners voted to again delay making a decision on whether or not to commit, along with the province, in helping operate the pool from Dec. 31 to September 2013.
Earlier in the summer the commission said the village may not be able to commit to the project because of budget constraints. A meeting on Monday night with the Scotia Pool Society, however, educated officials that the society will run the pool until Dec. 31, when at that time, management will no longer be in place. Without management or the village stepping in, the pool wouldn't operate regardless of any funding that could potentially become available.
At last night's commission meeting, commissioners agreed to investigate how much it costs to run the pool on a monthly basis and bring the topic back to the table next month for further discussion.
The village also agreed to take over the pool's bookkeeping services until the end of the year, without making financial commitments. In addition, a working group with community involvement will be formed through the village's recreation director. This group will facilitate communication and accept public suggestions "with the potential of keeping the pool open to September 2013," said village clerk Bob Christianson.
"But we still don't have good (financial) numbers on what it takes to run the pool," warned Christianson, adding it's believed it could cost $5,500 a month to run.
Bible Hill resident, and regular pool user, Carolyn Croft, said the process has been emotional.
"It's been up and down but this is a good decision because hopefully we can work with the village to bring in some money," said Croft.
Jeanne Purdy, of Bible Hill, uses the pool three times a week. She was thrilled with the village's decision to look into the finances instead of making a decision that could've been to refuse assistance.
"It's great. It didn't feel like there was hope but now I feel there is hope," said Purdy. "And I feel like the community is empowered because of the working group being formed."
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
