Members of the Muller Memorial Pool committee pitched a plan for a new community swimming pool in Churubusco and asked the Town Council to consider donating two acres on the Northwest side of Churubusco Community Park.

About 40 people were present at the Sept. 18 Town Council meeting, which was held in the Boy Scout building at the park.

Paul Muller was a lifelong resident of Churubusco, and when he died in 2003, he left $361,000 to Smith-Green Community Schools for the construction of a swimming pool.

The school decided they could not undertake such a project, said Liz Schemm, president of the pool committee, and the funds were turned over to her committee.

Committee member Lucas Konger, a graduate architect for Vintage Archonics of Fort Wayne and a Churubusco High School graduate, said the project would fall in the $400,000 to $500,000 range for a simple community pool, with more elaborate plans falling in the $500,000 to $1- or 2-million range.

Burnworth Pool in Columbia City. Photos by Jennifer Romaro Zartman of talkofthetownwc.com.

Muller was an electrician by trade, Schemm said, but had a passion for swimming. “Our mission is education, recreation and health,” Schemm said. “Our vision is to build a well-designed pool for our community.”

Schemm introduced other members of the committee in the audience including Konger, Don Page, Muller’s brother-in-law, Cathy Petrie, Tanya Young, Gina Ramsey and Mike Snyder.

The key employees and training requirements would include a pool manager, who would have a college degree or a background in aquatic facilities, according to Snyder, director of Northwest Allen County Schools’ natatorium.

Snyder, who attended the USA Swimming “Build a Pool” conference in Las Vegas Sept 2-9, 2008, added that the pool also would require a pool assistant manager with a background in aquatic facilities, and ten lifeguards or swim instructors.

Possible services of the pool would include lifesaving classes, school accredited courses, water aerobics and water therapy.

Looking at the financial setup of the of the Auburn community pool, Snyder said the Churubusco pool would charge about $200 a year for a family membership and $75 a year for a single membership. Eight private swim lessons would cost approximately $65. Lane or pool rentals also would be available.

“Northwest Allen County Schools (pool) is very successful,” Snyder said, “and, of course, we looked at that.”

The Columbia City Burnsworth pool lost $18,000 in 2006 and had a profit of $2,000 in 2007, Snyder said. “Keep in mind that 2006 was a cold, rainy summer and 2007 was hot and dry,” Snyder said.

The Garrett community pool made a profit of $17,767 in 2007, while the Columbia City YMCA operated at a loss of $46,434. Operating costs were $91,213 and the total income was $44,779, according to the committee’s analysis.

“Keep in mind that when you talk about an inside facility you add a lot of extra costs,” Snyder said.

Within a ten-mile radius, Schemm said the pool could potentially draw 42,000 people. “Based on data obtained from www.stats.indiana.edu/profiles, Schemm broke down the projected customer base of a community pool as follows:

Churubusco - 1,775

Columbia City - 8,202

Green Township - 5,297

Smith Township - 5,297

Etna Troy - 1,948

Perry Township - 19,654

 Eel River Township - 3,999

The total population of Whitley County is 32,655, Schemm said.

“Do you have a specific bottom line you can show us?” Council member Frank Kessler asked.

“Yes, we do,” Snyder said. “There are approximately 4 1/2 acres on the back end of the park” he said, and the pool would use two of those acres. The land would house a pool, deck and concession and locker facilities.

Council member John Hart clarified that the northwest corner would require some prep work, such as fill dirt.

“Thank you for coming,” Hart said. “You’ve certainly done your homework. And you’re right - we do not want it to become a tax burden to the people of Churubusco as other things have. People of Churubusco have to pay enough taxes now.”

“Who would be responsible if the pool is built and there is a shortcoming (of finances)?” Hart asked.

Snyder said they hoped to get private corporate sponsorships. “Our goal is to not operate in the red,” he said.

Kessler asked if the group was a not-for-profit organization.

That’s still in the discussion stage, Schemm told him. “We’ve talked about forming a committee of local representatives to oversee finances,” she added.

Churubusco Park Board President Pat Stanford wondered if the suggested property were to be leased to the pool committee, would that reduce liability on the Town’s part.

“Probably not,” said town attorney Ron Felger. “If something was to happen or a someone drowned, the town carries the liability insurance.”

According to a survey conducted by the pool group, Schemm said 267 people said they were in favor of the pool, one said he/she was not. The same number said they were in favor of having the pool located in the park, she said.

Jeff Schenher, a resident of Green Township who owns several rental properties in Churubusco, asked Schemm who was involved in the survey the group is using to promote their proposal. “Was this passed out to high schoolers?” Schenher asked.

Schemm said yes, some teens did participate in the survey, but so did adults of all ages.

Schenher also asked if the committee had surveyed other communities for liabilities imposed by community pools.

Snyder said the NWAC pool had experienced one incident during his tenure. Schemm said her son had worked at the Columbia City pool for the past five summers and the pool had documented three ambulance runs during that time.

Konger estimates the cost of building the pool will vary according to what type of facility is constructed. An outdoor swimming and recreational pool would be approximately $960,488, Konger said. An outdoor lap swimming and recreation pool would be $826,088, while an outdoor 50m competition (Olympic size) and diving pool was estimated at $2.9 million.

Stanford asked if the third plan showing four lanes was excessive.

“That’s an Olympic style,” Snyder said. “These are just estimates.”

Snyder said other pools offset the operating costs by hosting swimming competitions. He said he recently attended school swimming competitions at events in  Fishers and Noblesville. Fishers cleared $29,000 in entry fees and Noblesville, $25,000, he said.

“That doesn’t include what they took in from concessions, food and merchandise,” Snyder said.

He added that a community pool has the ability “to bring in lots of local commerce to area businesses.”

Don Page said the community is ready and the majority want a pool, and the Town cannot afford to let the opportunity pass.

“We also hear that no one wants this pool run and operated and financed by taxes,” Page said. “We have formulated a stand-by plan and have looked at the service companies in this community.”

Page said the community hopes to offset any operating deficit by splitting equally the cost (up to $10,000 each) between Indiana Michigan Power, Verizon, REMC, NIPSCO, National Serv-All, Fed-Ex, Media Com, Parkview Health and other such service companies. 

Page said while they have no definite commitment, they have talked to four of the companies and the response  was very positive.

Another plan is to have a financial partner who would match all or a portion of the funds raised by the group, Page said.

The committee hopes to leave enough money in the Muller Memorial Fund to continue to grow as an endowment to support the pool after it is built, Page said. In June, the original gift of $361,000 had grown to over $421,000, Schemm said.

Page ended by talking about the life of his brother-in-law, Paul Muller, and asking for the community’s support in making Muller’s dream a reality.

“We know that it’s a workable plan,” Page said. “And we are asking you to help us and encourage us in this effort.”