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Pool renovations may be postponed

By Lynn Hotaling
Sylva leaders heard some disappointing news last Thursday (Jan. 6): A planned renovation and expansion of the town-owned swimming pool cannot be completed in time for the pool to open on schedule in June.

Engineer Victor Lofquist of W.K. Dickson of Asheville told Sylva board members at their regular meeting that plans for pool bath houses are not complete, which means the project can't go out to bid this month. The delay would mean construction could not be completed before summer, Lofquist said.

The delay is due in part to the recent illness of the architecht hired to design the new dressing rooms.

Board members postponed a decision on whether to patch up the pool for this summer's season and schedule construction for 2000-01 or close the pool and go ahead with repairs this year.

Lofquist suggested waiting to begin construction until the end of this swimming season.

Patch-up costs on the 30-year-old pool have been increasing yearly. Board member Audrey Tritt estimated some $24,000 was spent before the pool opened last summer.

County recreation director Jeff Carpenter offered to get some estimates on costs associated with operating the unrenovated pool one more year.

Pat Briggs, coach of both the Smoky Mountain High and Jackson County swim teams, told board members he thought there had been too many delays and that they should look for another engineering firm to complete the project. "The (swimming pool renovations) should have been done," Briggs said.

The pool project, in the works for at least three years, will be funded in part by a $250,000 grant from the state's Recreation Trust Fund - the same grant that paid for last fall's construction of a new play area at Poteet Park. Town officials plan to borrow some $500,000 to complete renovations to the pool. Total cost for the pool renovation is projected to exceed $600,000.

Repairs and renovations are planned for both the pool and dressing rooms, and the pool's area will be enlarged to provide an additional lane for swim meets. In addition, steps will be taken to eliminate leaks that have plagued the swimming pool for the past few summers.

In other business, town board members decided to go ahead with lights at town-owned parking lots on Railroad Avenue and Main Street.

Town administrator Tommy Thompson estimated the Railroad Avenue lot will need five lights and that the Main Street lot (former Ritz Theatre) will need two. He is budgeting about $700 per light, and expects to use some of the lights removed from Main Street during downtown renovations.

One Main Street resident, along with Jewelry Outlet owner Jay Ball, addressed board members about safety concerns with regard to the municipal lot on Railroad Avenue.

Ball, who rents apartments located above his store, asked for help from town leaders to control the "kids parking there." They said the area is used for a drag strip and trash is left all over the lot.

Police Jeff Jamison said he would increase patrols in the area.

In a related matter, board members voted to include street lights along Chipper Curve Road and Skyland Drive in next year's budget. "I think we need lights on every major thoroughfare, said board member Maurice Moody.

Also Thursday:
  • Board members referred a request from REACH for a voluntary annexation of 2.3 acres the agency recently purchased on Plum Street to its zoning board for a recommendation. The zoning committee is expected to discuss the matter at its next meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m.

    A public hearing is required before any action can be taken; however, a date will not be set until after the zoning board makes its recommendation.

    Claude Mills, who owns property near REACH's Plum Street parcel, objected to the proposed annexation. Mills stated his concern that REACH wanted annexation in order to get help running water and sewer to their new property. Mills said water and sewer lines would have to cross adjoining parcels on the way to the REACH property.

    "I wanted people to know how the neighbors feel - we don't want these people out there," Mills said.

    Mayor Brenda Oliver asked Mills to hold any further comments until the public hearing.

  • Debbie Worley, whose grandmother lives in Rhodes Cove, asked town board members for help in eliminating a health and safety hazard next door to her grandmother's house.

    The Cherry Street property, which belongs to the heirs of the late Ida Cagle, has been targeted by Sylva zoning administrator Jim Aust, who has been unable to contact any of the heirs.

    Board members voted to turn the matter over to town attorney Eric Ridenour for possible legal action. Some $1,000 in back taxes are owed on the property, which has been assessed at $6,000.

  • Fire Chief Mike Beck was given permission to put the fire department's surplus equipment truck up for bid so it can be sold. Proceeds will be applied toward the purchase of a new mini-pumper.

  • Town board members voted to enforce the established loading zones on Main Street and establish one large enough for a tractor-trailer on Mill Street.

  • Town board members unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming their support of Jackson County's Economic Development Commission.

  • Mayor Oliver tentatively scheduled a planning session for Saturday, Feb. 5.

  • Board members voted to order lapel pins as part of the town's marketing strategy. After approving a sample, the town will order 500 pins at total cost of $855.

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