The Crookston Parks and Recreation board met on Tuesday in the City Hall conference room and discussed revolving issues regarding the community pool and the ultimate plan for the future.
The board began the meeting by reviewing the expenditures and revenue from the pool dating back to 2019. In 2019, the pool was open for business for 313 out of the 365 days and saw an average of 19 for daily usage. The 2023 numbers looked drastically different, with the pool being opened for 183 days throughout the year and less than eight for daily usage.
“We found out our average daily usage and what it would cost as a revenue per usage,” said Crookston Parks and Recreation Director Jake Solberg, “Also, our expenditure per usage, for example, our average revenue per usage, was $8.40 per person and the average expenditure was $26.69. So when you add that up for the entire year, our usage to require expenses was $18,645, and the over/under was $12,779.”
After reviewing the statistics, the board discussed the structural issues the aging building has experienced of late. One of the issues that was addressed was the deterioration of the exterior and interior of the building due to moisture. “Eventually, the structure is going to crumble,” said Solberg, “On the outside of the building, right when you walk in, there are holes, and deteriorating from the moisture coming in from freezing over the winter and thawing in the summer, and it expands.”
Other issues that the pool is facing are rusted joints across the ceiling and even chunks of the walls that at times, fall into the pool. Board members also mentioned that the majority of the pipes within the building are rusted, and it is believed that many of these issues are occurring because of the building being 50 years old and depreciation, and rusting have amassed due to age.
The board ultimately decided at the meeting to keep the pool open for business throughout the winter barring major maintenance. The board and the city will determine what is minor versus what is major on a case-by-case basis. If the pool were to continue to stay in the building and remain open, the total maintenance cost is estimated at $2 million.
“The Park Board believes that it (the pool) is an asset to our community,” said Solberg, “We talked a little about future plans about possibly demolishing the pool now and looking at what it would cost to have a water park or amenities like that.”
There were no long-term decisions that were made during the meeting. However, discussion took place regarding an outdoor pool facility or re-opening an indoor facility if the current building and pool were to be demolished.
