New pool may come to county

The YMCA and the County Commission are considering plans for the pool-starved county.

By ROBERT KING

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 28, 2000

BROOKSVILLE -- For a county that has been short of swimming pools a long time, Hernando County suddenly has at least two serious proposals. On Thursday, the Hernando County Family YMCA asked the School Board for nearly 13 acres on Mobley Road, just southwest of Brooksville, that may become a new YMCA pool and fitness center.

No deal was reached. But board members said negotiations could begin with the YMCA on what might lead to a long-term lease for the property, which is adjacent to the school district's plant operations and distribution center.

The YMCA wants a foothold in Brooksville to match its facility in Spring Hill.

The School Board is interested in making pool access more convenient for both high school swim teams and kindergarteners learning water survival. The land, which was appraised at $90,000, is not in an area where new schools are needed. And, as Superintendent John Sanders said, the school district does not want to go into the pool business itself.

Their discussion comes as the Hernando County Commission begins a study on the feasibility of a new community swimming pool.

Pat Eckelkamp, the YMCA's executive director, said her organization would be interested in bringing the commission -- and its money -- into a three-way partnership with the School Board. So far, she has had only a cursory discussion with county officials.

"We are going to definitely open that line of communication," Eckelkamp said.

The YMCA wants the Mobley Road site to be part of its larger vision for the county. It has plans to spend more than $1-million to improve and expand its Mariner Boulevard facility in Spring Hill. Possibilities there include a second pool, a state-of-the-art aerobic area and a new fitness room.

But Eckelkamp said Brooksville area residents have had a longstanding interest in a YMCA facility that's closer to home. The YMCA tried -- unsuccessfully -- to work out a partnership with the Jerome Brown Community Center.

And there still are no guarantees that a deal can be struck with the school district.

Board members said they would want assurances that swim teams and other school users of a pool would have convenient access to the pool. They are interested in assurances that the schools will not be liable for accidents that might occur and a clause that would nullify the lease if the YMCA fails to build the facility in a timely manner.

Eckelkamp said those are reasonable requests.

One thing that might take some haggling about is the length of the lease. The YMCA would like a 50-year deal to make its $1-million to $2-million investment worthwhile. School Board mentioned something along the line of 20 or 30 years.

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