Donors dive in, save Mansfield pool season
By Linda Martz
June 13, 2011
MANSFIELD -- The city will open two pools for a nine-week season Saturday.
Pools will close again Aug. 21.
Swim hours will be noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week at Liberty Park Pool, on Grace Street near Sixth Avenue, and at Linden Pool, at Millsboro Road and Donald Court.
Daily admission is $1.50 for people 13 years and older, 75 cents for children age 7 through 12 and free for children 6 or younger.
City Engineer James DeSanto said the pools will be opened despite constraints on the municipal budget, thanks to $76,000 in donations from foundations and residents.
"Dick Taylor of Taylor Metal really spearheaded getting the funds raised, and has for the last several years," DeSanto said. "He was the one who went out knocking on doors, trying to raise money.
"We're very appreciative of Mr. Taylor's efforts, because without him, I don't think there would be a pool season this year."
Under the contract signed by city council last week, the city must provide the Mansfield Area Y with $59,150 by Friday to begin operating a pool program.
Under the agreement, the Y will provide lifeguards, manage chemical levels, perform minor repairs, keep the facilities neat and provide liability insurance. The nonprofit group will retain the admission fees and revenue from pool rentals and aquatic programs.
City council Tuesday accepted a string of donations. Anonymous donors gave $21,000, $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 through the Richland County Foundation. The Jeannette C. Hartman Fund of the foundation forwarded another $5,000.
Donations from companies included $7,500 from Newman Technology Inc., $3,000 from Jay Plastics, $2,500 from Metal Conversions Ltd. and $2,000 from Longview Steel Corp.
lmartz@gannett.com
419-521-7229
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