The Lake Bluff Park District Board has approved the financing plan for the estimated $2.7 million renovation of the Blair Park Pool.
With construction already underway, park board commissioners unanimously supported the issuance of a $1.725 million non-referendum general obligation bond over five years at a Feb. 3 special meeting.
“We made a commitment and we made good on a commitment to fund this internally so this is really a wonderful way to do it for the community,” Park Board President Jennifer Beeler said.
The other approximate $1 million needed for the repair will come via a $600,000 grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources last year with the balance coming from the district’s capital reserve funds.
“It’s important, it is good timing and good results for the district,” Park District Executive Director John Bealer said.
Park District officials want to make changes on the pool that originally went into use about ten years ago. The scheduled enhancements include new lighting, replacement of the pool’s pump/motor, improved ADA access to one of the bathrooms and the addition of shade structures, and the addition of recreational games such as ping pong and a bag toss, Bealer noted.
He believes the renovation will add another 15 to 20 years of use at the pool.
The makeover began last December after the Park District received notice of the approval of the grant application from the state. Bealer anticipates the project will be completed by mid-May with the pool open to the public starting May 31.
Bealer said by March the park board would likely vote on a series of proposed fee increases on daily and family passes for both residents and non-Lake Bluff residents. In terms of daily passes, the rate would go from $10 to $12 for residents and $15 to $17 for non-residents.
“These increases were based on the analysis of other public pools in close proximity and the increased cost of operating the pool,” according to Bealer.
The pool has a capacity of 683 people, Bealer added.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
