Conceptual design released for a new Greenfield pool

In perhaps the hottest part of summer, a group of Greenfield leaders are ready to begin gauging interest from the community on the appetite residents have for someday building a new swimming pool.

Community organizations with a vested interest in the pool have worked with the city council for the last couple of years to attempt to meet the challenges that come with an aging and deteriorating swimming pool in town with lasting solutions.

The Greenfield Pool Advisory Committee showcased a conceptual drawing, developed with the help of Wahoo, Nebraska-based firm JEO Consulting, of what a new pool, built at the same location as the current pool, could look like, during the Tuesday, July 22, city council meeting.

City financial support, possible grants and donors will all be needed as part of a coordinated effort if a new pool is someday a reality here, leaders exclaimed.

“There are probably people out there who don’t even know we’re talking about this,” newly-appointed Mayor Brian Fox said.

Conceptual drawing

The latest rendering reorients the pool with the bath house and entryway located off of NE 2nd Street instead of Elm, as they are positioned now. Planners commented they wonder if the change in orientation would allow for better parking.

The drawing includes a pool with a slightly smaller footprint than the current pool, holding about 58% of the water the pool holds now.

“A little bit smaller. Capacity-wise, our current pool is able to hold 400. The new pool is designed for 300 swimmers,” advisory committee member Renee Schwartz said July 8.

The pool would feature swim lanes, a deep end, low and high diving boards, basketball hoops and zero entry — a feature the current pool does not have.

Schwartz described that the new pool is designed much like the current pool, with the focus being on swimming for all ages.

“Right now, this is just an idea of what it may look like,” Schwartz said last week. “The cost hasn’t changed from recent meetings.”

Possible Nov. 4 vote

The projected cost right now is estimated to be about $5 million. Planners are aware that the money will likely have to come from several sources; however, the advisory committee asked that the council decide Aug. 12 on whether to have a bond referendum in November.

Advisory committee member Catherine Olesen said a formal commitment from the council on sending a new pool to the Nov. 4 ballot is needed sooner rather than later because many grant opportunities hinge upon that being set in motion.

City Administrator Michelle Carns stated that she and council member Rita Eble would meet to analyze data from the city’s advisers regarding the pool and additional projects, to develop financial figures for presentation to the council’s finance committee.

The council did not state their feelings either way toward a referendum. They did say upcoming phases of the sewer lining project and cost concerns with construction of the new fire station will all have to be considered in decision-making.

On July 8, Schwartz said. “We’re waiting for the council’s decision on whether this project is going to move forward. Is this something the city wants to commit to? On the drawing, do they want that out in the public?”

Make it public

The council said to make the conceptual drawing public and encouraged advisory committee members to begin fundraising. Several in the room said that the goal of fundraising should be to pay for the whole project, though they’re aware that probably isn’t realistic. Any and all fundraising will be a positive impact on the project, they agreed.

At a March 25 city council meeting, the advisory committee members shared a timeline for completion of building a new pool. That called for council approval in April 2025 of a voter-approved November referendum with drawing of the concept design, writing of voter referendum language and approval of that language all happening this summer. If the council moves forward in having a vote in November, advisory committee member Jacque Eblen said it would be helpful if relatable figures are made available so the public can accurate form an opinion of the proposal.

If the council moves forward with a vote in November, advisory committee member Jacque Eblen said it would be helpful if relatable figures are available as the public formulates their opinion of the project.

Advisory committee members said construction of a new pool would happen during the offseason, minimizing impact to the pool season as much as possible. Council member Jeff Clayton said he would hate to see kids not have the pool for a summer.

Eble commended those who have put effort into exploring next steps for the pool.

“I feel fortunate we have the group we have at the pool who put their heart and soul in it,” she said.

What’s the problem?

Part of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s, the current pool was built from hard work and decisions made by past city leaders. Discussion about the pool began in 1940. After a series of elections and mistakes, the city received a grant of $30,000, which went with a $10,000 bond issue to make the pool a reality. The pool was finished in June 1942.

Time has taken its toll on the pool and many issues have cropped up over time. A December 2024 on-site tour considered mechanical equipment, the structures and pool themselves as well as the water system. It was one part of many steps of legwork the advisory committee has taken to this point, with help from others.

The pool was found to be in fair condition during that tour, but in need of significant repairs. A wall was bowing and pipes were in need of being replaced. Many aspects of the pool and associated systems were not up to current compliance standards. The shell of the pool leaked, which can temporarily be fixed by painting the pool and utilizing other measures; however, these fixes aren’t projected to last forever.

The bathhouse has walls that are deteriorating and some may need to be replaced. Flooring and roofing are also in need of being replaced.

“Speaking for the Pool Advisory Committee, the people of Greenfield are commended for their vision, collaboration and community spirit,” advisory committee member Catherine Olesen said in March. “The proposed recommendations are an example of these attributes.”