Hi everyone–
First off, thanks for sharing your stories, time, feedback, and the petition.
Councilperson Elizabeth Beck has responded to some questions but has refused to answer what it would take for her to advocate renovating the park. Parks Superintendent Scott Penn has issued a FAQ and scheduled a session at the pool next Thursday evening to review the plans they have set. They do not yet appear willing to reconsider the demolition – but they are beginning to respond to your efforts.
I've sent follow up questions and am continuing to suss out what can be done to renovate the pool, keep it open during the summer, and generally improve services.
Mr. Penn has expressed concerns about the ground conditions below the pool and the possibility of "imminent system failure" so we are waiting on supporting documents for those claims as well as a copy of the 2007 audit that provided the $3mil estimate for repairing the pool.
One point worth clarifying – the Parks Department as of this morning has said that the pool should in fact remain open next season but would be closed for demolition in 2023.
Also worth mentioning – the Parks Department are now saying that they are open to including a 50 meter lap pool – if Council approves extra budget, or, with an escrow deadline and all, if private funding comes through. But no mention of a diving pool.
Some other points to consider...
- What efforts have been made to learn from other cities about pool maintenance and improvements?
– Why can't Fort Worth replace one of the 5 pools it has already demolished?
- El Paso has 14 aquatic facilities, 10 of which are year round. San Antonio has more than 20. Austin has 45 public aquatic facilities. Fort Worth has 2 right now – one of which is only open 12 hours a week – with the YMCA sharing another.
And some resources...
- an updated PDF flier for printing and sharing:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3mqqj9uk7p4jx6o/forestpark-pool-petition-20210903.pdf?dl=0
- documents about the Pool, including what the Parks Department has shared
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/urrx5pde1jt7o14/AACLuqGjSPSlCJwuf2LMMJzwa?dl=0
Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions, concerns, suggestions.
Thanks,
Chris in Fairmount