New Pool Plans

VINCENNES, IND (WTHI) - A southern Indiana community does another look at its options for replacing an aging public pool.

Officials in Vincennes say after more than four decades of service, it is time to do something about Rainbow Beach Pool.

The Parks Department is making some important assessments now that will have a big impact on what the future pool will be.

Rainbow Beach Pool is closed for the season.

Employees are doing more though than putting it to bed for the winter.

They are also assessing what part the existing pool might play in a new water center here.

"Early numbers are high, we have 50 meters and having all the pieces that we want, the splash pad and the slides and trying to have a family aquatic pool, that number is very high," said Vincennes Parks Superintendent Steve Beaman.

Renovation may be an option and it is one the department is exploring.

Vincennes is looking at all kinds of options when it come to a new pool, but figuring out exactly what they have may wind up making a big difference on what they wind up with in the future.

"If at all possible and affordable we'd like to keep the 50," said Beaman. "So, if we want to renovate we have to know what the concrete underneath is. It's 40 years old, so we're doing core samples."

A crew drilled into the pool in several locations to get those samples.

Their assessment may well determine the scope of the project the park's department puts together for public.

"This is a project that is going to affect the property tax rate, you know," said Beaman. "We want to, number one, make sure we can do it very affordable for the citizens, and number 2, have the pieces that everyone is asking for."

The hope is that the results will be a pool that can give the community another 40 years of service.

The city is planning to put a final project together and place it on a special ballot for the community vote on next May.