Buckman Community Association

August 24, 2005 Council hearing on Buckman Pool Repair

Summary of council hearing

Sixteen members, including 8 school-age children, of the Buckman Pool
Heroes
testified regarding the emergency ordinance to fund $25,000 for
investigative demolition of the tile layer of Buckman Pool. The ordinance
was unanimously approved by Council. Commissioner Saltzman made it clear
that Buckman Pool will stay open if the repair costs come in at an
estimated
budget of $300,000. Commissioner Sten also made it clear that he was on
board for a cost-effective solution. Commissioner Leonard pointed out to
the rest of council that the Buckman Pool Heroes or any community should
not
have to work this hard to obtain front-line public services such as a
pool.

Next steps will entail removal of the tile layer and inspection of the
entire underlying concrete shell. We have requested a community
walk-through at that point. The Parks team, led by Richard Bosch, along
with input from the community, will choose a preferred solution to present
to Council a second time. This will most likely happen in October, and
Parks will request the full amount of the repair.

The community absolutely needs to stay on top of the process, since we are
competing for attention from the press with Pier Pool, also scheduled to
be
closed. There were several Pier advocates at today's council meeting, and
it was evident to all in the room, that the city cannot shut down its
pools
in poorer neighborhoods, especially after spending $3 million on Wilson
Pool
renovations.

Please let everyone know that they should visit
www.buckmanu.org/savethepool
and send a thank you letter to City Council for approving today's
ordinance.
The website should be updated after this weekend.