Worthington levy would support pool facility

WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- There is just a little more than a month until the November general election, when Worthington voters will see a bond levy request, Issue 19, on the ballot.  

Worthington City Council approved legislation in July 2024 to place the issue on the ballot which, if passed, will fund replacement of the aging outdoor pool facility in the City of Worthington. The bond issue would be in effect for 20 years, but the city said the upgrades are expected to keep the pool open much beyond that.   

The .94 mill levy would cost residents an additional $33 per $100,000 of their home's appraised value.  

The facility started operating in the 1950s. The pool facility is operated and maintained by the nonprofit SwimInc and is located on land owned by the Worthington City School District. If passed, the levy would allow the city to buy the land from the district and build the new facility, which the city would then own. The city would then lease it to SwimInc to operate.

Worthington Parks and Recreation Director Darren Hurley said the agreement SwimInc has proven successful. 

“It's been a great asset for the city over the years that someone else operates it, because we know, in a lot of communities, the city operates it and that comes at an annual operating cost in almost every case," Hurley said. 

Hurley said the project is estimated to cost $15.4 million. The city is proposing to contribute $4 million from its cash reserves, plus $11.4 million raised from the bond issue. 

"It does cost a little more initially, but the plan is that it would actually resolve the issue for a long time," Hurley said.  

Lexi Killoren is a Worthington resident and mother of two. Her family has been using the pool for the last three years, and she and her husband are voting “yes” in November. 

"A pool promotes a healthy lifestyle," Killoren said. "In the summer, do I want my kids in the basement playing video games or do I want them running around the pool swimming, playing water basketball, going off the diving boards with their friends?" 

Killoren said having an updated pool facility would also serve as a social hub and help build community, adding great value to the city. 

“We'll be able to attract different swim meets and different events and we'll be able to host things in our city, which only increases the kind of revenue that's flowing into our city," she said. "You know, they go up to High Street to have lunch or dinner." 

The proposed facility would include activity spaces like a climbing wall and mini ninja course, which has prompted some concern from voters who feel there would be less space to swim. 

"Depending how those are put into place, while they provide fun, they do eat into some of the footprint of the water, but those are all things that can be moved in and out," Hurley said. "So if you were to open the pool and a climbing wall was eating up a lot of active swimming space, you could certainly move that.” 

As for membership fees, the city has already agreed upon a three-tier system, with city, school district, and non-resident rates. Hurley said city residents would have the cheapest membership, but the exact rate is still undecided. 

If the issue passes, there will be additional opportunities for the community to have its input on play features and other finishing touches. Construction is expected to take nine to 12 months and could begin at the end of the 2025 season.  

“With all things, especially things that touch your finances, comes a lot of passion," Hurley said. "So the city just really is trying to make sure that everyone is educated and has all of the most accurate information."  

The city is holding a public open house on the bond levy on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at Griswold Center Town Hall.

For more on the proposed bond levy, click here.