CORE Community Center in Frankfort has announced that the organization’s indoor pool facility will be closed following increasing costs for maintenance while established partnerships with local facilities will continue to provide pool-related activities in partnership with CORE instead.
CORE released information regarding continued issues with the indoor pool facility, stating that after two years of issues with the facility’s plumbing, staffing and chemical needs for maintenance, the decision was finalized to close the indoor pool facility. CORE Community Center Executive Director Stephanie Cooper released her thoughts regarding the decision.
“As many of you know, we have been working diligently to staff our pool consistently for the past two years, but a nationwide lifeguard shortage and the budgetary inability to provide competitive hourly wages has made it difficult to fill the position,” Cooper. “Couple that with an estimate of over $200,000 for important plumbing, flooring and mechanical updates, and it just pushed us over the edge of this incredibly difficult decision.”
According to CORE, the annual estimated cost of maintaining the pool totals to over $75,000, which includes salaries, chemicals, maintenance supplies and limited provider available, and the total does not include the cost of unforeseen repairs. CORE stated that in 2019 to 2021, the organization invested over $150,000 into the pool’s main operating machinery, but during the time of the investment, the pipes and plumbing components were not addressed.
CORE stated that due to the age of the building and the nature of the materials utilized for plumbing, the pipes are beginning to corrode and close up, which has caused continued issues. The material of the pipes reportedly limits their ability to be opened with modern equipment, which would require the organization to invest into replacements.
According to the organization, multiple individuals have reached out from the community to discuss the investment necessary to provide the repairs, but the organization stated that due to the full-cost estimate, the individuals and groups were unable to move forward with providing help in maintaining the pool facility.
“We are so grateful to our partners for always looking out for us, and asking about ways they can help,” Cooper said. “But, the needed investment is just too great for any one or group of individuals to make. We have continually been seeking grants, but we are unable to find anything that encompasses what are considered operating expenses to cover these repairs and ongoing maintenance at this time.”
CORE stated that community partnerships with the Community Schools of Frankfort and Wesley Manor have enabled the organization to continue providing swimming lessons and active older adult programs involving the pool to aid in the continuance of the services that the organization deems necessary for the community. The organization stated that the partnership will continue in the future as CORE utilizes its recently received USA Swimming grant and Aspire at CORE funds via the Center Township Trustee’s Office to continue the programs.
CORE released that staff members have shred their enthusiasm for the renovations moving forward, such as the recent paint update in the gymnasium, the pending refinishing of the gymnasium floor next year and the continued focus on raising funds for other large projects in the aged facility.
Questions and concerns regarding the ongoing nature of the change or other projects at the facility may be directed to staff members or directly to Cooper at s.cooper@corecommunitycenter.org.
