The city of Lorain-owned pool at Oakwood Park should be completed in time for summer swimming, according to the city’s Parks and Recreation Superintendent Eric Lahetta.
Lahetta provided an update on the $1 million pool renovation project in an email to Ward 3 Councilwoman Pam Ward, who also serves as the chair of the council’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
That email was posted as part of City Council’s Jan. 17 agenda.
“I feel confident,” the pool will be open for swimming this summer,” Lahetta said in an interview.
The pool, located at Oakwood Park, 2047 E. 36th St., has been shuttered for years.
Mayor Jack Bradley announced the city’s plans to reopen the pool in the May 2022, saying it would become a showplace for Lorain.
The city is using a mix of state and federal funding to pay for the work.
Lahetta explained the city submitted what’s known as a pool/permit plan to the state of Ohio for a review in the summer and did not hear back for seven months.
He confirmed the state asked for some additional information, but referred all questions to Ron Cocco, of Clark and Post, the architect on the project.
Cocco said he submitted some supplemental drawings to the state and seemed confident that information is for the permit to be issued.
“Fingers crossed, we are hoping to hear something next week from the state,” he said.
Lahetta said in the email he anticipated that if the state approves the permit, the pool project would be completed sometime in May.
Assuming the pool receives the permit, Lahetta said he is working in tandem with the French Creek YMCA to manage the pool as well as staff it with lifeguards.
“I have been working closely with the French Creek YMCA’s director to secure an agreement with them to manage and operate the pool, including providing lifeguards,” Lahetta said.
The pool project was funded in part by a $446,500 grant the city received from Ohio Department for Natural Resources Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Attorneys for the city and the YMCA are reviewing the agreement.
Lahetta, who was hired to run the city’s Parks and Recreation Department this summer, said he’s getting up to speed.
The city had gone years without a Parks and Recreation director until Lahetta’s hiring.
“It’s going good,” he said. “It’s a little bit different for me, but it’s keeping me busy, and I’m enjoying it so far.”
Other park projects
Lahetta also provided Carter with an update on other city park improvement projects.
Those included building a pavilion at Maple Park; restrooms at Johnnie Wilson and Cityview parks; four dugouts for baseball/softball diamonds at Oakwood Park, individual play pieces at Central Park; playground equipment and potentially a basketball court at Streator Park; a pavilion and two basketball hoops at Westwood Park; and the installation of bike racks and pumps at Lakeview, Oakwood, Central and Longfellow parks.
In addition, the city plans on starting its renovation of P.C. Campana Park, 2840 Meister Road, in the spring.
The estimated $4.6 million renovation is a partnership between the city and the Lorain City Schools.
It included installing turf at the Pipe Yard and the construction of a new softball field, with a turf infield, as well as renovation of the existing baseball field and soccer fields.
It also calls for new parking lots, walking trails and improved lighting.
The city received a federal grant for another $1.6 million and will use those funds for the park.
The contract calls for the schools to pay no less than $1.2 million with a cap of $1.8 million for its share.
The Lorain Schools Board of Education approved its share for the project earlier this month, and Lorain Council approved funding for its $1.6 million share at the Jan. 17 Council meeting as well as hired North Coast Design Build LLC to do the construction work.
