Weimar pool will remain closed
Barrow says new pool will be simple
Weimar City Manager Mike Barrow announced last week at the Weimar Rotary Club that the municipal pool would be closed this summer as a new pool is constructed.
Citizen | Michelle Banse Stokes
WEIMAR – Weimar City Manager Mike Barrow announced last Thursday at the Weimar Rotary Club meeting that the municipal swimming pool will not open this summer, and plans are underway to construct a new pool between the existing pool and the pavilion.
Although Weimar City Council has yet to vote on specifics related to the pool project he spoke of at the meeting, Barrow stated that he has met with a few councilmembers to inform them of his decision to close the pool. Barrow said that the planned construction project and the current poor condition of the pool led to him making the decision himself to not open the pool this summer.
Barrow stated that the new pool would be a fairly simple one, complete with spray features, but without a diving board. He also informed the group that he and Councilman Rex Kloesel looked at pools built by a contractor that completed similar projects at Pine Cove in Columbus.
Several people expressed concern on The Citizen’s Facebook news post regarding Barrow’s announcement. Comments included praise for Barrow’s announcement and suggestions of waiting to build the new pool until after summer was over while others questioned Barrow’s authority to close the pool.
“I feel like he (Barrow) made some remarks off the cuff that may not have been agreed upon by city council yet,” Joanna Mensch said on The Citizen’s Facebook page in response to hearing about Barrow’s announcement. “I feel like the pool should remain open for the summer and begin new work after August. That’s only five months away.”
“You all need to know the pool we have is not up to the Texas State Codes,” Mary Hairell said in response on The Citizen’s Facebook page. “It needs to be closed and a new pool needs to be built. Please come to the next city council meeting and voice what you want in the new pool. We need to make sure all citizens, young and old, will be able to use the pool.”
Weimar City Council will meet March 21 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. The public is always encouraged to attend and may address the city council during the public comments portion of the meeting.