Future of Spalding Pool

The Spalding Neighborhood Association wants the park district to fix up the outdoor Spalding Pool in their neighborhood. They say there are a couple problems at the pool, and they asked the park district to address those in a meeting last night.  They say the 37-year-old pool is becoming run down, it's not open long enough and it's not promoted to the public much. They also worry the pool will be shut down because it lost business to the Sholem Aquatic Center that opened last summer.  The park district says it doesn't plan to close Spalding.  In fact, it's meeting with neighbors to find out what to do with the pool in the future.
 
George Blackburn, a neighborhood block captain, says he wants to see it "restored to its original brilliance".

Amy Crump, Champaign Park District says, "we don't want to duplicate something we already have at Sholem.  We don't want to put the exact same thing at Spalding. We want to make sure we're offering our residents choices and different options."

   The park district says it's considering all the ideas neighbors have for the pool, like a water slide or even making it an indoor pool. Neighbors say they don't need all the bells and whistles like at Sholem, they just want a place their kids can enjoy.  The park district plans to make recommendations after the summer pool season.