Stafford wades into pool issues
Concern over the condition of Navasota’s municipal swimming pool prompted a public comment at the Monday, May 10, city council meeting. Navasota Mudcats Swim Team president Ashley Stevens said, “The pool is one of the few things the kids have in this town, and they love it. The fact that it is deteriorating in front of our eyes makes us all very sad.”
Stevens called Parks and Recreation Specialist Colton Haffy, who was hired in April, a great addition and said “improvements are beginning to happen.”
Stevens remains concerned, however, about the impact of needed pool repairs on the swim team.
Uri’s fury
City Manager Brad Stafford discussed some of the recent and ongoing challenges of a municipal pool with the Examiner.
He said, “During winter storm Uri, a lot of our pipes out there froze, in the bathhouse, the pump house, and it took us awhile to get a contractor out here that could fix all of that. Actually, the plumbers are still working on the bathhouse. The pumps have been running at the pool. Staff have been treating the pool with chemicals trying to get it cleaned up.”
At present, the small pool is the only pool available for use.
Stafford said, “We’re frustrated. When you have only so many people and only so many resources, you can work only so fast.”
Parks Board woes
Pool maintenance and improvements come from the General Fund, but another funding source is the Voluntary Park Fund “donation” on city utility bills. Recommendations for use comes from the Parks and Recreation Board which, until just recently, was not functioning because of lack of commitment by board members.
Stafford said, “They didn’t show up but now we’re starting to get members appointed who do show up and bring ideas to the table and bring work to the table. They actually came to the meeting willing to go to work, to actually do re search, to go out and talk to people about funds. They’ve got a lot of good ideas and want to see things happen.”
Lifeguard pool depleted
Finding lifeguards is an ongoing struggle for Navasota and other cities as well. Stafford said the city has received only two lifeguard applications and Haffy has reached out to Texas A&M.
He continued, “The two we have are very good but they can do only so much. As soon as we get the pool clear, we’ll open it up so the swim team can utilize it. As far as opening it to the public, it’s probably going to be a while longer because we’re going to need more lifeguards. We hope we have enough to handle the swim team.”
Countering misinformation, Stafford said, “We’re not closing the pool. That’s not our goal. Our goal is to open it and open it for more hours.”
Swim fees for summer 2021 will remain at $3 per person per day, $50 per person for a season pass and $150 for a season pass for a family of four.