The North Vernon city pool won’t open this summer. That was the unanimous decision of the North Vernon City Council during its meeting Monday night.

The decision was made as the city continues to examine its options as it relates to the pool. Chad Speer, the city’s director of parks and recreation, explained that the original pool at the city park was fitted with a liner approximately 15 years ago. After the pool was drained last summer, Speer says that an inspection of the liner revealed several cracks and other damage. It will take an estimated $30,000 to repair the liner, which will allow the pool to open for one season. Noting that the pool is already losing money for the city, the parks board voted unanimously last week to recommend not opening pool in 2018.
The city council must now decide on how to proceed. The options include:

Closing the pool permanently;
Replace the entire liner and repair the concrete, extending the life of the pool;
Construct a new pool or water park;
Council members agreed that the issue needs further study.