© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Commissioners approve plans for Easling Pool, Boardman Dam removal

Grand Traverse County wants the YMCA to run its troubled swimming pool. County commissioners voted Wednesday night to turn management of the Easling Pool over to the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA. The pool has been closed since October due to lack of funding.

The county would pay the YMCA $50,000 in management fees during a one-year trial.

Most commissioners support the plan but County Administrator Tom Menzel said it’s a bad idea.

“Emotion is very high about this and emotion clouds good analytical thinking," said Menzel. "And I’ve seen this time and time again. I just want people to be aware that this is very high risk.”

Menzel said the county is in deep financial trouble and should consider closing the pool. The plan must still be approved by the YMCA board of directors.

Boardman Dam removal

Commissioners also voted to accept an offer of $12 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove the Boardman Dam. The dam’s removal is part of a plan to restore the Boardman River to a natural state.

More than $2 million in local money will be needed to collect the federal funds. Some commissioners said the county couldn’t afford to spend anything on the project. But Commissioner Carol Crawford said the offer was too good to pass up.

“It’s not going to get any better than this," said Crawford. "You can’t look at this amount of money and say ‘No, it’s not enough. We don’t want to pay anything for it.’ You’ve got to stop somewhere and say, ‘Okay, we’ll take the deal.’”

An environmental assessment will be required before dam removal work can begin.