By Sara Strong
The Rock County Pool and Fitness Center will continue to be publicly owned and operated for the foreseeable future.
The Luverne City Council decided against the recommendation by the Pool Commission to request a second round of RFPs (request for proposals) to lease, purchase or manage the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center.
As a joint owner of the facility, it would have had to approved of the request of the Commission. The Rock County Board, also an owner, acted in favor of the new RFPs, but with the city voting against it, the county's vote is void.
Councilman Keith Erickson said, "I feel we should continue owning it as a city and as a county. But I think our relationship with Sioux Valley should stay."
Luverne Community Hospital uses the facility for rehabilitation and physical therapy. The contract to use the Pool and Fitness Center free of charge ends in 2003.
The Pool Commission requested the new round of RFPs because the first attempt earlier this year got no feedback. However, Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System, which owns the Luverne hospital, asked for an extension to submit a proposal after the deadline.
The Commission hoped this new round of advertising would get more response, but the Luverne City Council said the facility should go forward and not put the future on hold any longer.
Councilman David Hauge said, "Everyone knew the timetable was in place and missed the chance. I think we should support the staff and improve membership and look at new ideas."
Pool and Fitness Center Manager Darrell Huiskes said he still believes an indoor water park will make the facility profitable instead of requiring city and county contributions.
"In my opinion," Huiskes said, "I think there should be a citizen committee that lets people decide what they want."
That committee could survey and educate the public on the benefits of an indoor water park that could be a recreational center year-round. Other outdoor water parks in the area, just open during the summer, detract from Rock CountyÕs pool.
Huiskes said the pool used to get 300-400 pool users a day and now the peak use is 100 swimmers.
The council said that a bonding bill on local ballot asking for taxpayer support of an indoor water park wouldn't be out of the question in the future.