TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Since September of 2018, the pool at the Vigo County YMCA has been closed. According to Mayor Duke Bennett, operating cost between $100,000 and $150,000 per year were the reason for the closure.
“In their case, they’re like we just can’t really afford to do this because the memberships just don’t cover to be able to operate the pool,” Mayor Bennett said.
Bennett says an agreement has been made between him and leadership at the YMCA to hopefully re-open this pool pending approval.
“Their lease is expired, so we’re negotiating a new lease and there’s some things in it that will allow us to get the pool back open,” Bennett said.
According to Bennett, this agreement includes the city taking on some costs of the pool such as utilities. He says this has has already been accounted for in the city budget.
Brenda Williams, a member of the “Why Make Waves” group, which has fund raised and worked to bring awareness about the importance of the pool for health reasons, says she is excited about the progress that is being made.
“We look forward to that. Water activity is the only activity for some people and that’s why he fought hard for this,” Williams said.
Bennett says re-opening a year round pool is a necessity for the city of Terre Haute.
“It’s one of those amenities that the community just really needs and that’s what’s been driving this,” Bennett said.
We did reach out to staff at the YMCA who declined to be on camera.
In a statement they say, “We are doing our due diligence to ensure the Y is in a financial position to support the operations of the pool long-term. Until a signed agreement is presented, the pool will remained closed”.
This agreement isn’t official yet and details are still being worked out. The agreement must be approved by the Parks Department and the YMCA board.
Bennett says he hopes to have this done within the next 30 days
