March 19, 2024 |
Photo – Saratoga’s public pool – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Saratoga town council voted to demolish its failing wading pool. Every summer, the town offers an outdoor swimming pool to guests. Included in the entrance fee is access to a small, shallow wading, or baby, pool.
Crumbling concrete and leaks forced the town to close the wading pool for much of last summer. In November, the town council voted to give refunds on seasonal memberships to people affected by the baby pool closures.
Since that time, the town has been investigating what to do with the leaking body of water. At the March 5th Saratoga town council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner said demolishing the wading pool makes the most financial sense for the town. Penner said Laramie-based B and H Contracting agreed to undertake the demolition.
Penner said B and H quoted $36,550 for the job and said they could begin the job by the first week of April. The public works director said the price is very fair. Mayor Chuck Davis agreed. Mayor Davis said the quote is far below the agreed upon price.
Councilwoman Kathy Beck said Penner did all he could to save the baby pool. Councilwoman Beck said Recreation Director Kim Hemenway is already planning on how to use the additional deck space. The councilwoman motioned to approve B and H Contracting’s bid.
Councilwoman Beck’s motion was seconded and approved. The town of Saratoga will pay B and H Contracting $36,550 to demolish the wading pool, haul away the debris, and fill in the hole with fresh concrete. The job is expected to be completed before the swimming pool opens this summer.
