The closing of Veterans Swimming Pool on Sundays has caused ripples that likely won't calm until a battle between some members of the City Council and the mayor comes to a head in two weeks.
Mayor George Stewart closed the pool last year, citing a community standard as his reason. The mayor says that as the city's head administrator he has the power to close the pool.At the request of several council members, however, council attorney Mike Thornton is drafting an ordinance that could take that power away from the mayor. The ordinance, which would set the pool's hours, will be ready for discussion and action at the council's June 13 meeting.
"There's enough council interest on this issue to bring the matter to the floor for a vote," Councilwoman Shari Holweg said.
If the ordinance fails to gain approval the issue likely will die and Stewart's decision will stand. If the ordinance passes, the mayor could accept the ordinance, veto it or challenge its legality in court. Stewart has hinted that he won't abide by such an ordinance.
The council is being pushed by a group of local religious leaders who say the pool should remain open on Sundays to represent all sectors of the community. The group presented a petition of 400 signatures asking the pool to be reopened, but many of the signatures are from non-Provo residents.
That same group of religious leaders approached the Recreation and Leisure Services Board Wednesday and asked it to reconsider a recommendation it made to the mayor last year to close the pool on Sundays. The board allowed the leaders to speak but would not reopen the issue for a vote. Chairman Sid Sandberg said the board can only make recommendations and has no binding powers.
"We have no authority to change the policy," Sandberg said.
Three board members voted in favor of the closing recommendation last year after several hours of discussion. Sandberg said the decision was made with sufficient discussion and background, and the city should live with that decision. He said the issue is now being used as a political football and is no longer about Veterans Swimming Pool but has grown into "a concept of what city services are going to be made available seven days a week."
The board, however, wanted to make it clear that its recommendation was not based on religious or community standard reasons. Pools have a longer life when one day each week is used for down time and repairs. Most cities close their pools on Sundays because that is the lowest participation day. Attendance at Veterans Swimming Pool has been much lower on Sundays than other days.
"It's strictly from an economic point of view and an upkeep point of view," board member Judy Park said.
Board member James Bergera and Councilman Karl Thalman said economics and statistics should drive the decision. If residents are going to use the pool on Sundays, it should remain open. If not, it should be closed.
"We need to find out if the signatures on that petition will translate to bodies in the pool," Thal-man said.
The religious group said economics shouldn't drive the decision. The pool provides recreation that has a positive influence on children and families, they said.