Dateline: March 23, 2006

City turns down swimming pool offer

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen turned down a proposal to purchase a swimming pool during their regular meeting last Tuesday.

Western Skies Motel owner G. Patel had offered to sell the swimming pool west of his establishment to the city for $35,000; but the mayor, the board, and other city officials all had concerns about the deal and the cost to turn Patel’s private pool into one for public use.

Patel had earlier said his pool was hard to manage and monitor since it was out of sight from his front desk and said he hoped to build a new pool in front of the motel that would be more visible to travelers.

Alderman Janice Knorpp said last Tuesday that the city would have to hire a lifeguard and a qualified person to maintain the pool and its equipment. Alderman Bobbie Kidd noted that the city would have to build a parking lot for the pool, which is located between the motel and the Dollar General, and he said, “I’m not real crazy about the location.”

Other items of concern for the city included the need to build a taller privacy fence and gate, the cost of insurance, and the absence of changing rooms and showers.

City Superintendent Jim Roberts told the board he thought it would take at least as much to fix the pool for the city’s purposes as it would to buy the pool.

In other city business, the board approved the submission of a Texas Community Development STEP Grant in the amount of $306,585 for a new high-capacity water pump system for the west side of Clarendon and for ten new fire hydrants.

Life Scout LaDez Captain presented his proposed project for his Eagle Scout rank. Captain asked the city to supply paint and supplies to fix up the North Ward Park equipment, and he said he would like to see the basketball court at the park enlarged with new goals installed. The board directed the city superintendent to provide Captain with the paint, brushes, and other items to fix up the park equipment and asked Captain to return with figures for the cost of concrete and goals.

City engineer Che Shadle discussed the ongoing street project. He said the contractor is making progress and predicted the curbing would be finished soon. He said the asphalt season will begin on April 15.

During the city superintendent’s report, Mayor Tex Selvidge inquired if the city has an evacuation plan. Roberts said one is in place under the jurisdiction of the county.