Leak may keep pool closed
SIKESTON -- Sikeston residents may end up waiting several years until the YMCA of Southeast Missouri's project is complete before having access to a public swimming facility.
Jiggs Moore, Sikeston's parks division director, advised Sikeston City Council members during their special meeting Monday that the public pool's leak became unmanageable at the end of last year.
The pool has leaked for several years, according to Moore. A leak specialist was consulted but failed to correctly identify the leak's location. A second specialist was consulted and advised there are three possibilities for the leak.
Moore said this is the last summer for the pool anyway as the YMCA's project includes tearing out the pool and building an indoor pool.
The Sikeston swim team has already made arrangements with the Country Club, he said.
City Manager Doug Friend said the city needs to consider if it is worth spending $5,000 to find the leak and another $5,000 to fix it when the pool will only be used one more season. Operating the pool without fixing the leak would be too costly due to the loss of chemicals and water, according to officials.
Mayor Mike Marshall said he thinks residents will be upset by not having an outdoor public pool available even when the YMCA's indoor pool is available to the public.
"There needs to be an outdoor pool," he said.
Moore said the outdoor pool cost nearly $500,000 when it was built in 1992 with money donated by the Sikeston Jaycees.
The pool was open for about 10 weeks last year, according to Moore.
Friend said he will arrange a meeting for Council members with the YMCA's board to discuss the issue.