Ottawa budgets $4.5 million to replace Riordan Pool with a new facility

We got an overwhelming response from citizens that they do want a pool of some kind

—  Ottawa Commissioner Marla Pearson

Riordan Pool as it currently stands will no longer be around in 2023.

But swimmers should not fret, the city is moving forward on building a new facility.

The Ottawa City Council approved a proposal Tuesday to work with Kmetz Construction on building a new pool with a budget of $5 million — with $4.5 million being the total planned cost.

“We got an overwhelming response from citizens that they do want a pool of some kind,” said Commissioner Marla Pearson. “This proposal is to plan a brand new pool.”

Pearson said that means it makes no sense to pay the $500,000 to repair the Riordan Pool to open for 2022, because by the summer of 2023, Ottawa will have a brand new pool open to the public.

As for how the new pool is going to be paid for, Mayor Dan Aussem said he worked with City Treasurer Don Harris and decided the tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales should be able to cover the cost.

“Those funds come up to about $30,000 (per month),” Aussem said. “We thought we would take that funding and dedicate it towards the debt on a new pool and towards a new fire truck.”

Aussem said that also addresses the concern the marijuana tax is just a “sin tax,” with the revenue going towards something for the community.

Commissioner James Less voiced concern a new pool wouldn’t see a rise in usage and Riordan Pool doesn’t make enough money for the cost of lifeguards, but Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut said the hope is a new pool will attract more people than the previous facility.

Eichelkraut said during a November workshop meeting it isn’t the job of a city park to make money, but instead be an amenity for the city’s residents.

The design for what the pool will look like still is in the works, but Aussem said there have been preliminary discussions with the YMCA about maintaining the pool.

“There’s a lot of agreements between the YMCA and municipal pools for them to manage the pool,” Aussem said. “They have the expertise and people that can do the chemicals, run pumps and help with lifeguards. Part of the problem with attendance before is the pool had been neglected for so long.”

Aussem expects a new pool to be more than just a place for people to go when it’s extremely hot, but also a destination for families.

The motion passed through the council unanimously.