Officials are anxious to see project completed
By Barb Pert Templeton
It’s been nearly five years since the Algonac City Pool closed due to significant water loss and safety concerns but when the new facility opens this summer city officials will be thrilled to put all that planning in the rear-view mirror.
“It’s just so exciting after all these years – trusting and praying and hoping and cajoling and any adjective you can think of – to just finally see it come to fruition,” Councilman Michael Bembas said.
A recent meeting had five members of the city council 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 include 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.
At the recent meeting Bembas asked the city manager if an opening date was on the calendar yet for the new pool.
“No, it’s still too early, we are definitely hoping to be open by July 1 and we’d like to be open before that but it’s dependent on the weather right now,” City Manager Denise Gerstenberg said.
“So, June 30?” Bembas asked.
“Would it actually help if Councilman Bembas would go over there and help do some of this work?” Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey joked.
“Mayor Pro Tem Davey I think that’s an excellent idea and I think the contractor would benefit from his assistance,” Gerstenberg replied.
“I’d definitely approve of that,” Mayor Rocky Gillis laughed.
Bembas said he can’t help his enthusiasm for the project simply because it’s been a long road.
“And there was a while there when every day or every week there was someone in the public saying why don’t we have a pool?” Bembas added.
The mayor commented that it’s important to remember that it’s not just going to be the city’s pool.
“It’s going to be the beautiful pool that was designed by the residents,” Gillis said. “It’s a destination now too, now that you’ve got so many spots for every generation,” Councilman Jake Skarbek said, noting the splashpad that will be adjacent to the pool.
Davey said these projects, the pool and a planned new activity center, are the things that will bring families to the city because surrounding communities don’t have them.
“It’s going to be a positive effect on our property values, it’s going to make Algonac a destination place, at least for Marine City and Clay Township, they can come use our pool,” Bembas said.
He also noted that the pool is not just for kids, the pool will be heated and it will be a walk-in style so there’s know big steps to maneuver.
Members of the Algonac City Council pictured here at an April 1 meeting. City Manager Denice Gerstenberg is pictured on the far right.
“So, you don’t have to climb up and down those slippery stairs that pool used to have and hope you don’t break your neck or whatever,” Bembas said.
“Why aren’t you going to be a lifeguard?” Davey asked Bembas.
“I can’t swim,” Bembas laughed.
Skarbek asked the city manager if there will be youth swimming classes this summer. She said if they don’t open until July, she’s not sure how that will play out but they are currently looking to hire lifeguards and an activities director for the facility.
“So, to be determined,” Gerstenberg added.
The Lions Field is located at 1814 Michigan Street in the city of Algonac.
