Claremont City Council rejects splash pad proposal

By PATRICK O’GRADY

Valley News Correspondent

Published: 11-15-2024 4:30 PM

CLAREMONT — In a 5-4 vote, the City Council approved $75,000 capital spending for upgrades to bathrooms at two city parks but left out funding for a splash pad, which the Parks and Recreation Department and the city manager had proposed.

Some councilors who opposed the $324,000 splash pad said it is something they might consider at a later date but the city has too many other more pressing capital needs.

“We really need to look at our other issues and not talk about a splash pad,” Mayor Dale Girard said at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, shortly before the vote and after a nearly 90-minute presentation and discussion on the three capital projects.

There are several million dollars of projects across all departments listed in the city’s latest capital improvement plan. These include heating system repairs at the Planning and Development office, air packs for the fire department and security upgrades at city hall.

Girard, and councilors Nick Koloski, Wayne Hemingway, William Greenrose and William Limoges supported the $75,000 spending. Assistant Mayor Deb Matteau and councilors Brian Zutter, Andrew O’Hearne and Jonathan Hayden were opposed.

The bathrooms at Barnes Park will be renovated at a price of $50,000. An additional $25,000 will pay for improvements at the Arrowhead lodge to include two bathrooms in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Money for all three projects, totaling $424,000 as proposed, was to come from revenues the city received at an August auction of city-owned property that was tax deeded. Reached Friday, Finance Director Nancy Bates declined to provide the final amount the city received from the auction because they have not calculated interests or deducted any final costs.

The splash pad would fulfill a promise the city made to have an outdoor water feature to replace the outdoor pool at Veterans Park which closed about a decade ago, Parks and Recreation Director Justin Martin said. The pad would be free and open to children ages 2 to 12, Martin said. Annual operating costs, including staffing, would be between $5,000 and $30,000, including chemicals and maintenance.

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Koloski questioned the expenditure given that the city is trying to recruit more members to the community center, which has an indoor pool, and is struggling to have enough staff, including lifeguards. He compared it to having a struggling business, then opening a second business and telling people to go there instead.

Matteau was the most vocal councilor in support of the splash pad. She agreed with Martin that it would be a good replacement for the outdoor pool.

“When the outdoor pool closed, it did a disservice to a lot of children in the community,” Matteau said, adding that many cannot afford the community center. “It will be great for young people with young children. I think it is a good thing.”

While the community center is free for children under 5, children ages 5 to 17 pay $210 a year if paid in full. The cost is higher if paid month-to-month. A youth day pass costs $5 for residents and $10 for non-residents.

Earlier in the discussion, a majority of councilors agreed to reduce the amount proposed for two new bathrooms at Arrowhead from about $52,000 to $25,000. They argued that when the city agreed to upgrade the bathrooms as its obligation under a lease agreement at the lodge with the Wheelhouse Bike Shop, it was given an estimate of $19,000. (The $6,000 increase is expected to cover higher costs.)

Arrowhead is doing better than predicted in attracting mountain bikers, Martin said, and his plan for three bathrooms with improved access on the lower level of the lodge, would ensure that the lodge meets current and future needs.

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.