Manitou Springs City Council fielded a discussion regarding findings from a pool feasibility study of the Manitou Pool & Fitness Center during its work session Tuesday, June 14. The project began March 23, when a steering committee chose Ohlson Lavoie Corp. to carry it out.
The pool and fitness center, which began operating in 1970, was the subject of a Parks and Facilities study in 2021.
“That was a pretty high-level analysis of the facility with some recommendations for improvements,” said Skyler Beck, Manitou Parks and Rec director. “But we felt the need to do a little more in-depth analysis of the facility. Also, connect to the recreational needs of this community.”
The OLC contract cost around $38,500, with funds coming from the 2022 capital improvement program. The project will take place in three phases over an unspecified period.
Phase 1, the current one, includes market analysis, an audit of the current facility and gathering input from the public and stakeholders.
“We have engaged in other sub-consultants to look specifically at the pools and what the pool systems are in need of as far as reconfigurations and repairs, and the building and the physical plant in its totality,” said David Sprague, senior principal and lead design at OLC.
“(We’ll also review) the surrounding elements out on the site, (such as) the pools and the outdoor spa.”
After Phase 1, OLC will move into programming, design and upgrades analysis with Phase 2.
“This is where we have a response to what the need is,” Sprague said. “This is the response phase in both a narrative and programming, which means elements that would fit to meet that need within the community.”
The final phase of the process will include “potential alternate site land requirements and operational analysis.”
Sprague said for an upcoming portion of Phase 1, Counsilman-Hunsaker, a national aquatics design consultant, looked at all pools in Manitou and assessed what needs to be done.
“They have crafted a report that we’re going to roll into the final product,” Sprague said. “Right now, there’s a capital improvement plan.
“We’re going to prioritize within the capital improvement plan what needs to be done right now and how long can these repairs last (and) how long can they extend the viability in the facility. This is a complicated process that has a lot of moving pieces to it.”
Councilor Julie Wolfe liked the findings and ideas, but wanted to find a way to save time and money throughout the process.
“Would it help if we tried to focus on the simple things and the amount we’ve budgeted for the next year?” Wolfe said. “I’d hate to see them do all of this work and I’d hate to see us pay to do all this work for something that’s not going to happen for five years or more.”
Mayor John Graham agreed with Wolfe’s assessment and said narrowing the focus would be ideal.
“I guess I have this question of if we’re trying to be a rec center when we’re really a swimming pool/weight room,” Graham said.
“Does it make sense to entertain these other things like handball courts or extending the building out to the sidewalk? I don’t see that that’s doing anything more than making our situation more complicated.”
Councilor Nancy Fortuin said she wants to wait for the complete analysis.
“Until they do the entire strategic analysis, I think it’s very premature to start limiting them,” Fortuin said. “The market may prove sufficient to be compensated for a lot of improvements.”
Council will hear another update from Beck and OLC at a future meeting.
During the work session, council also witnessed a swear-in ceremony for the Manitou Springs Police and Fire departments.
The fire department welcomed two new members and promoted another, while the police department swore in 12 officers.
“One of the things that’s most special about this for me is getting to see our folks grow and move up or move on when they go to other departments,” Manitou Fire Chief John Forsett said.
City Council also voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a light-duty facility maintenance bucket truck.
Graham explained council’s reasoning behind the purchase.
“We got a really good deal on a bucket truck that we need,” he said. “We had a daylong budget session — it was a work session so we couldn’t formally make decisions — as part of that we felt pretty good about moving on this bucket truck. We hope to save about $50,000. That (saved money) could be money in our pockets for something else.”
Members also listened to a presentation about a proposed tree care ordinance. Council will field another hearing of the potential ordinance during a later meeting.
City Council will not meet June 21; five members will attend a meeting in Breckenridge.
Council will return June 28 with a meeting at Manitou Springs High School, 401 El Monte Place, due to primary elections taking place in City Hall.