NORWICH – A new Environmental Protection Fund sign for the refurbishment of Kurt Beyer Pool has some visitors confused as to its future. City officials are continuing to seek testimonials for a $217,500 Environmental Protection Fund grant that would cover repairs at the pool, which remained closed throughout the summer.
The sign – which lists NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey and Mayor Joe Maiurano – is actually tied to a previous $76,000 grant the city received in November of 2002. The city was required to put up the sign in order to formally close out that grant, used primarily for repairs at the pool in 2004.
According to the mayor, approximately $17,000 of the original grant went unused, and it’s uncertain whether the city will still have access to those funds.
The mayor did say, however, that Kurt Beyer will be open once again for the summer of 2012.
“No matter what, the pool will be open next year,” said Maiurano, who added city officials were reluctant to close the pool in 2011. “We need to make sure we have the money on hand, but whether we get the grant or not, the pool will be open.”
Both Maiurano and Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer said while closing the pool was not an optimal solution, the city was still able to offer Red Cross certified swim lessons – as well as recreational swim time – at the Norwich High School. Usage of those services were down in 2011, however, primarily due to its location indoors, they added.
According to Delaware Engineering’s estimates, repairs at Kurt Beyer include the repair of cracks in the pool; application of a Marcite finish to its surface; replacement of water filters and piping; replacement of electrical panels; reconstruction of the eastern filter room wall; installation of new filter pump shaft sleeves and seals; replacement of an eight-inch butterfly valve; removal of an existing underground fuel oil tank and oil-fired hot water tank; repair of the guard house roof; installation of a new, eighty-gallon solar hot water tank, with electrical back-up; installation of new skimmer baskets and replacement of concrete decking, as needed.
In order to receive grant funding through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the city is required to submit written testimonials pertaining to the pool’s importance within the community. And while several have been submitted to date, more are needed prior to the city’s application for the grant in November.
According to Dreyer, adults’ testimonials should include first and last name, as well as the writer’s street address. Children’s submissions should include first name, last name initial and the child’s age. Organizational affiliation may also be included, if wished, he added.
Testimonials can be mailed or hand delivered to City Hall, One City Plaza, or e-mailed by visiting www.norwichnewyork.net.
Kurt Beyer Pool typically serves approximately 15,000 swimmers each summer and five surrounding townships have contracted with the city for swimming instruction programs at the pool in the past.