PUBLIC STATEMENT
Contact: Tim Ervin
October 16, 2007
MULTI-USE SWIMMING POOL TO BE BUILT
IN MANISTEE COUNTY WITH PRIVATE DONATION
AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN CITY AND SCHOOL SYSTEM
Manistee, Michigan – A multi-use swimming pool for people of all ages in greater Manistee County will be built with financial support from a private donor. The operation, management and maintenance of the pool will be carried out under an Interlocal Service Agreement being developed between the Manistee Area Public Schools (MAPS) Board and the City Council of the City of Manistee.
The Service Agreement will cover management, operation and maintenance of the year-round pool that will be designed, engineered and constructed at no cost to the school system, City or taxpayers in general. Design work may begin in 2007, with a target of completing the pool late in 2009.
The pool will be located on the grounds of Manistee Public High School, a site chosen after extensive review of alternative locations. The review process included analysis by an independent pool consultant and a number of informal discussions with different organizations and school systems. The High School was designed for a pool addition and much of the infrastructure to support the pool already exists. It was determined that the construction, operation and maintenance of a stand-alone building at any other location would not be cost-effective.
Design and construction of the pool will be directed by Manistee Community Pool, Inc., a nonprofit entity created to oversee facility construction. Funding and project support are provided through a donation and the personal attention of Bill and Martha Paine. Firms with substantial past experience with pools will be sought to oversee design, engineering and construction. Use of qualified local sub-contractors will be encouraged whenever practical. Upon completion of the pool, the MAPS will assume ownership of the facility.
Corey Van Fleet, Executive Director of the United Way of Manistee County will join Bill Paine in co-chairing the Design Committee. Corey is a nationally recognized leader in the field of swimming. In his early years as high school swimming coach in Birmingham, Michigan, his teams won four State Class A Championships. Corey then went on as swimming coach and athletic director at Oakland University where his program gained national recognition. The swimming teams he coached never finished lower than 7th in the NCAA Division II championships and were second in 1978-79. He produced 152 All American swimmers, coached the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team, and has been involved in designing swimming pools.
In making the donation, Bill Paine offered the following statement:
“From the beginning, our vision has been to provide a true enhancement to the quality of life in our area. Swimming is a life skill that is vital to most people and many children have not had the opportunity to swim. Now, children of all schools will have that opportunity. All of our five school systems in the county will be encouraged to use this pool for swimming instruction. The possibility of competitive swimming, including one high school team with members from many schools might also become a reality.
Fitness is so necessary in our world today and swimming is one way to pleasantly use our muscles, burn calories and sustain fitness and well-being. Time will be allocated to the Health Connection at West Shore Medical Center to support fitness classes. Recreation by family members of all ages will be encouraged as will general community use by residents and visitors alike. While we do not want to diminish the importance of the pool at West Shore Community College, distance and time restricts its use by many in the greater Manistee area.
The Interlocal Service Agreement is the final piece of a puzzle to make a vision and a dream a reality. We hope and believe that this collaborative effort will provide a unique opportunity for countless youth, adults, schools and others to enjoy the best fruits of an outstanding year-round aquatic experience.”