The Winamac Town Council provided funds for Heater and a committee to study options for a community pool facility. The former 50-year-old municipal pool was closed two years ago when the council deemed it unsafe and beyond repair.

A preliminary proposal is being developed to build a new pool within the footprint (80 x 40-foot) of the former town pool next to the Family YMCA in Winamac. The pool would be approximately the same size, but no more than five-feet deep for most of the length. It would accommodate lap swimming and water aerobics, according to Heater. 

Heater, town manager Brad Zellers and their committee have been working with Marcus Yoder, vice president of Premier Aquatic Construction of Syracuse to develop plans for a new pool. The company's focus is to serve the larger end of the aquatic market such as university and high school natatoriums, YMCAs, waterparks and municipalities in Indiana as well as the Midwest region.

Preliminary plans call for a "zero entrance"  pool (to meet ADA requirements) that will be five-feet deep across most of the length. The old "kiddie pool" will be eliminated (that space may someday be used for a concessions area), and the old pool deck removed. Plumbing provisions will be made for a couple of future splash pads near the pool. A new pumping and filtration system will be installed.

Costs and Funding

The estimated cost of the project is between $600,000 and $650,000.

Heater reported that Yoder has been very helpful in suggesting options to save money. She added that Town of Winamac resources in labor and equipment may also be used to cut costs.

The old pool reached a maximum depth of 12 feet. Heater and Zellers pointed out that the five-foot depth will save water and chemical expenses.

"This will be a no frills pool," Heater said.

She does not foresee the possibility of building an enclosed pool facility, due to the expense.

Heater emphasized calling the new pool a "community pool," because, although the town will own it, and the YMCA may operate it, the project will require community support to build and likely maintain it.

"The town council simply can't afford to build and maintain the pool," Heater said. "Those days are gone"

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFPC) has announced its support of a community pool project. Gifts to the CFPC through March 31 for the project will be matched by 50 percent through Lily Endowment.

The goal of the pool committee is to raise $300,000 through donations to the CFPC by the March 31 deadline. Heater said there is also a private donor who will contribute $150,000 to the project if the $300,000 goal is reached.

Heater noted that the Lilly Endowment match will allow donors an opportunity to give through the end of 2015 and again in 2016 for tax credits. 

Questions and Comments

Many of those in attendance at Monday night's meeting asked questions, or made comments about the proposed pool project.

The first question was to ask why the pool cannot be enclosed for year-round use. Heater responded that enclosing the pool was also her first wish, but explained her research indicated a community the size of Winamac cannot sustain an enclosed, year-round pool through use, and the costs of utilities to heat the pool and maintain the facility.

A good deal of discussion followed on whether the Eastern Pulaski schools would be the best resource for building and operating an enclosed, year-round pool. Heater said that Superintendent Dan Foster was one of many community leaders she approached in her study for the pool project. In the end, however, the pool committee decided to proceed with the project at the old pool site.

Pulaski Memorial Hospital CEO Tom Barry was also approached for input on the pool project, and he was present at Monday's meeting.

"The hospital would love to work with the schools and the YMCA for a health center that would include a pool," Barry said. "We continue to looking into grants and programs that would facilitate this." 

He added that in the meantime, "for our purposes we would support what project (the pool committee) comes up with. We want this to happen."

Several of those present thanked Heater for her leadership on the pool project, and noted she will need more help and volunteers to carry it through. Heater pledged she will continue to work to see the project completed.

Reporting by Karen Clem Fritz