Pomona : Funding Found for Pool

In an effort to get a new pool at Ganesha Park open by this summer, the City Council voted this week to lend $325,000 from the city Water Department’s reserves to the pool fund.

Douglas Bridges, director of parks and recreation, had asked earlier that the money come from the city’s general fund. However, the request drew a hostile response from Councilman C. L. (Clay) Bryant, who said the City Council had been led to believe that the $1.1-million pool could be built entirely with money raised by the Friends of Ganesha Park Pool Committee.

“I’m not comfortable asking for money from the general fund,” Bridges replied. He explained that county officials had required changes in the project, including a ceiling over the pool and hot water for the showers in the dressing rooms, that increased its cost to $1.4 million.

Bryant said the pool architects should have been aware of the requirements.

Councilman Mark Nymeyer said that he agreed in principle with Bryant but that the pool should be completed quickly. Nymeyer proposed that the money be taken from the Water Department’s $3.5-million reserve fund. Bryant concurred, and the council unanimously approved.

City Administrator A. J. Wilson said that because the Water Department’s reserves are in interest-bearing investments, the Parks and Recreation Department would have to pay 8% annual interest for the loan. “We’re talking about $10,000 to $15,000 in interest,” Wilson said.