Despite maintenance concerns at the Velma Young Pool, the City of Meridian decided to open the pool in July, as it has in previous years.

Doug Stephens, the city’s director of Public Safety, told the council at a May meeting that the pool needed tile repairs and had a failing pump system. 

Stephens told the council Tuesday that donations and sponsors had contributed to help open Velma Young for the summer.

“At this point, the Highland Park pool is open and fully staffed,” Stephens said. “We will be bringing on more lifeguards when we open Velma Young in July.”

The council voted to move $45,000 from a fund for special projects to Parks and Recreation for the salaries of part-time lifeguards during the summer, a shortfall Stephens brought up at the May meeting. 

“Fortunately, the council was gracious enough to give us those salaries and we don’t have to cut down on hours and staffing,” Stephens said. 

Stephens said that the filter pump had a small leak, with the potential to grow, but that they hoped to get through this summer and replace it in the next budget year.

“This is just a very good place for kids to come out and be in a safe environment,” Stephens said, noting the lifeguards would be on duty to protect weak swimmers. “It’s a great place for kids to come and enjoy their summer.”

Entry to either pool or splash pad (at Highland Park) costs $3 or $5 for both the pool and Highland Park splash pad.

In the past, the city offered free days but decided against it because of the strain on the budget and limited lifeguard resources. Still, Fannie Johnson, whose Ward 3 includes Highland Park, encouraged philanthropists to contribute.

“If there’s anybody that wants to donate for the kids to go swimming, please let us know,” Fannie Johnson said, noting that the pool would be open for Juneteenth and Meridianite Picnic celebrations. “It gives the kids and family things to do and hopefully, in the future, we can broaden it.”

Tyrone Johnson, whose Ward 2 includes the Velma Young pool, repeated his goal of creating an indoor, year-round pool space at Velma Young for children and seniors alike. Short term, he said he would push for improvements at the pool before next year. 

“We’ve got some sponsors that are going to help fix the tiles and maybe the pump as well,” he said. “Last year we were robbed for a few weeks of not having a pool and some kids got in trouble. So it’s a great place for kids to go.”

Hours at both pools will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Other business

The council voted to update procedures and inventory for the city’s Neighborhood Lot Program. For a full list of available properties, contact the city’s code enforcement department at (601) 282-5119.

The council also rejected rezoning a parcel of land on Knight-Parker Road for a medical clinic following an appeal filed by the street’s residents.

Tyrone Johnson, the president of the council, scheduled a special council meeting next Tuesday to discuss the city’s Master Plan, vote on accepting the annual audit and learn about the city’s plan to buy the Meridian Police Station.