Senator Kevin Hertel attends special event
By Barb Pert Templeton
A special event, dubbed a ‘sneak peek’ for the revamped pool at the Lions Field in Algonac, included free admission from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 15 and before the evening ended some 400 people had stopped by.
Senator Kevin Hertel was among the visitors at the pool. A $1 million dollar grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) came to the city for the pool thanks to Hertel.
“The Algonac community pool is now open. It was so great getting to see all the families who came out to celebrate this exciting occasion,” Hertel state in a post on his Facebook page. “I had just come from meetings, so sadly, no cannonballs from me this time but I did get to test out the splash pad with Mayor (Rocky) Gillis.”
The pool includes:
· A zero-entry area with play equipment for little ones just getting comfortable in the water
· A designated lap swimming area
· A deep end for swimmers of all ages
· An elevated pool deck—perfect for future private events
· Concession stand
· Capacity is 100
· Pool will be open until Labor Day
· Admission is $3 and children under five are free
The pool debut was on the same evening that the Algonac City Council was meeting so comments and appreciation for the new city pool were plentiful.
Senator Kevin Hertel (r) and Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis (l) were part of a special event in the city that offered a free swim at the new pool.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King took time during a presentation to the city council to congratulate the city on the opening of the pool.
“It’s great to celebrate positive things and I was thoroughly impressed,” King said. “I walked in there today and I was blown away on how beautiful, brand-new and how big it was.”
City Manager Denice Gerstenberg said she didn’t have a report for officials as per usual. “No city managers report tonight in the interest of time and getting everybody back to the pool,” she said.
During council comments longtime pool support, Councilman Michael Bembas, who constantly questioned Gerstenberg about the status of the project, jokingly lamented the pool opening.
“I’m so disappointed that pool is done because now I don’t get to rag the city manager anymore about the pool what a letdown,” Bembas joked.
“I’m sure you’ll find something else,” replied Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey.
Bembas then noted that the public doesn’t realize all the people behind the scenes who worked very hard on the project including City Treasurer Alysia Bugg and City Manager Denice Gerstenberg.
“Just talking to the contractors today they said they have never worked so well with a city government as they did with ours,” Bembas said.
Davey said it was “so cool to see all those kids there, and it was nice to see Senator Hertel and Mat King was there as well.”
During his public comments Mayor Rocky Gillis shared his delight at the opening of the city pool.
“Today was an awesome day, when you get to watch those smiles on those kids faces when they are running up there,” Mayor Rocky Gillis said. “And to have Senator Hertel there and have him rent out a Kona Ice Truck for all the kids; so, on top of the million dollars he got us a Kona Ice Truck.”
The pool will be open Wednesdays thru Sundays with specific hours until Labor Day.
Gillis said hours for the pool are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m. The pool will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is $3
“Bear with us, we’ve never had a pool before but it’s going to be great,” Gillis said.
A bit of background
The Algonac pool originally opened in the city in 1957. It was closed five years ago due to significant water loss and safety concerns.
At an April city council meeting five members of the council were unanimous in their acceptance of a Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Grant for $1 million dollars for the pool which came to the city thanks to Senator Kevin Hertel. Council members Cathy Harris and Wendy Meldrum were absent from the April 1 meeting due to illness.
Additional grants for the project included one for $300,000 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and another $400,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
In August 2024 officials reviewed two bids received for the project and awarded the contract to Robert Clancy Contracting in Casco Township for $2,924,301. The estimated cost to the city for the pool project after the grant funding is $1,300,000.
Once Clancy was awarded the contract work began on the pool site which included taking apart and disposing of the old model to make way for the new one.
The pool is located at 1833 Michigan Street in the city of Algonac.
