Troy

Opposition is mounting against the city's decision not to open its Knickerbacker Park and South Troy pools for the swimming season.

City Council President Carmella Mantello has joined the drive to get the pools open to and to make long-range plans to keep them operating.

Mantello made her remarks in her charter-mandated response to the mayor's February state-of-the-city speech.

The city has $1.2 million in a capital reserve fund it can drawn on to repair and open the pools, Mantello said. She said the city should develop a public-private partnership to open the pools and keep them functioning.

"We have to do everything to save our pools," Mantello said.

The two pools were closed under the 2017 city budget of $69.9 million as a way to save money. This led to a petition drive and residents appearing at City Council meetings to demand the pools open.

Deputy Mayor Monica Kurzejeski and George Rogers, the parks and recreation director, told the council's General Services Committee and the public on Feb. 17 the pools would not open.

The opening of the pools is just four months away. That will increase pressure for action to open for the annual six-week swimming season.

Mayor Patrick Madden acknowledged that the $1.2 million capital reserve fund is available. But he said no action can be taken until an engineering study is conducted to ascertain their condition and what can be done.

Madden said he is concerned about safety. He noted the rust scaling on pools, problems in the pump areas, poor condition of cement at the pools and deterioration in the dressing areas. No one wants to see a pool burst open with children inside, he said.

Four residents spoke to the council calling for pools to open.

"We really need to keep the pools open. This year. Not next year," said Billy Carter. He urged the city to open at least one pool.

Aside from the pools situation, Mantello reviewed the council's achievements in 2016. She said the city should seek to form partnerships with other municipalities as a way to ease its fiscal problems. The city also should develop a citywide asset management program, she said.

kcrowe@timesunion.com • 518-454-5084 • @KennethCrowe