GROVES — High repair and maintenance costs coupled with dwindling usage is leading to the possibility of permanently closing Groves’ city pool.

Groves Council members is set to consider dismantling the city pool and reclaiming the property located in Lions Park during a meeting set for 5:30 p.m. Monday at city hall.

The issue was a topic of discussion in October as City Manager D. Sosa gave councilmembers a list of need repairs to the 60-year-old pool totaling $200,000. Sosa spoke via phone about the issue prior to the upcoming meeting.

The YMCA of Southeast Texas-Port Arthur branch has operated the pool for the past three years and pays for insurance that comes in at about $4,000. Most of the usage comes from YMCA programs, day cares, summer recreation programs and pool parties. On a “good day” there are about 20 swimmers.

Many residents now have backyard pools and the pool is only open for eight to 10 weeks each year.

“I don’t like making this recommendation,” Sosa said. “The pool is part of the community but I can’t, in good conscience as manager of the city’s finances, recommend keeping it operational under these conditions,” Sosa said.

A cost breakdown shows about $1,000 per week for chemicals for a total of $10,000 for the 10-week period. This doesn’t include electricity and upkeep. Gates fees go to the YMCA.

Necessary repairs include new plumbing, demolish the pool shell where it is cracked 2-foot wide, remove all tile and coping and install new, demolish pump house and build new as well as other work.

The property where the pool sits belongs to the city and the pool was formerly operated by the pool association until the group declined about thee years go.

“My proposal t council would be tear down the bath house and reclaim the land for additional parking. Reclaim the pool area and buy a very nice playscape for younger kids to play on and fence it in. Leave the concession stand and maybe offer use of it to nonprofits to sell concessions in the park,” he said.

Sosa noted the city is facing other more pressing issues such as a majors streets program that will cost $300,000 and $1 million the following year.

“We have higher priorities and needs and can still satisfy the recreational needs of the community without the pool,” he said.

Other agenda items include:

• Presentation of proclamation recognizing the 2015 Fireman of the Year.
• Proclamation of a proclamation designating March 2016 as American Red Cross Month in the city of Groves.
• Presentation of a proclamation designating April 2, 2016 as the Eighth Avery Anne Guerra Day in the city of Groves.

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