Although swimming isn't at the front of most people's thoughts at this time of year, the Big Rapids City Commission is already discussing next's year's swimming season.

 

This past summer the Charles E. Fairman pool was in need of emergency repairs, including some concrete replacement, says City Manager Steve Sobers.

 

“It has been done, the pool was kept in operation for the extra 28 days so that it would set up properly for next year's swimming season.”

 

The Commission unanimously approved a payment of $52,900 for those repairs at Monday's meeting.

 

Sobers adds there were additional costs incurred from keeping the pool open for that extra 28 days, all of which will impact the pool's budget for 2017.

 

“We'll need to watch next spring and see if we can make sure that the pool still comes in under budget if that's possible.”

 

Mayor Mark Warba says the Commission has always supported the pool and will continue to do so. However...

 

“It never seems to be without a need for increased expenses, but I think we need to look a ways to increase revenue,” he says.

 

Warba has instructed City Manager Steve Sobers and the Parks and Recreation Board to find ways to increase revenue at the pool in 2017.

 

This follows a $5.00 across the board fee increase that was put in place this last summer.