NATCHEZ, Miss. — The city board green-lighted plans Tuesday for heating the community’s new swimming pool and making other upgrades that were stalled last year.
Natchez aldermen’s 4-2 vote of approval Tuesday is contingent on the Adams County Board of Supervisors paying half of the costs. A state grant has been awarded to partially pay for the pool improvements, which last year were estimated to cost at least $345,000.
While the state Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks has committed to pay 50 percent of the costs, the rest of the expenses must be borne by the city and county boards. The Board of Aldermen last summer decided to postpone the work because of the city’s uncertain revenues during the COVID crisis.
The planned upgrades for the swimming pool include purchasing and installing a heater and insulation cover as well as constructing an expanded concrete deck, bleachers and lockers.
Proposals will be sought from contractors wanting to sell, install and build the upgrades. While the board has already budgeted money for the pool improvements, a vote was needed to move forward.
Aldermen voting Tuesday for the pool project: Valencia Hall, Billie Joe Frazier, Felicia Irving and Ben Davis. Voting against: Sarah Carter Smith and Dan Dillard.
Those wanting to pursue the pool improvements argued that enhancements make it more suitable for swimming meets and enable the pool to open sooner in spring and stay open longer until October with a heating system in place. Opponents questioned how the costly upgrades could be made when so many other city recreational facilities are in bad shape and need more money.
Mayor Dan Gibson noted city officials are developing a comprehensive plan for improving recreation that could be funded by Natchez borrowing money through a bond issue.
Once the swimming pool heater and insulation cover are installed, the energy costs are estimated to cost about $8,000 a month if the pool opened in April and closed in October. The current season is late May till early September.
The aquatic center at Liberty Park opened in June 2018, giving Natchez-Adams County its first public swimming pool since the one at Duncan Park closed in 2001. The city and county jointly funded the Liberty Park pool’s construction and share the costs of operating it.
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