Committee backs recommendation to pursue 50/50 LPRF grant to renovate Trousdale County pool

Amy Thomas, presenting on behalf of Trousdale County parks staff, asked the committee to recommend applying for a Local Parks & Recreation Fund grant to renovate or replace the county’s only public pool. Thomas said consultants prepared the application packet and that Kimberly Horn will present the plan at a public meeting on March 16.

Thomas said the current pool is aging, requires about $30,000 a year in maintenance and repairs, and that the proposed renovation would expand programming (swim lessons, water-safety classes), improve accessibility to meet ADA standards and offer health and economic benefits. The presentation described the grant as a 50/50 match: the state would provide 50% and the county would be responsible for the remaining 50% of project costs.

Cost estimates in the packet ranged. Thomas said the pool complex renovation was estimated at $2,000,000, with an additional $300,000 estimated for design and grant administration. The mayor said the packet’s total estimate looked like $2,300,000 and indicated he would pursue private fundraising to reduce the county’s required match if possible. Thomas and other staff emphasized that applying for the grant does not obligate the county to accept it if awarded.

Committee members asked technical questions including whether the design would combine the kiddie pool and main pool into a single feature; Thomas replied that the design was a proposal and that the design phase would finalize such choices. Members also asked whether tennis or pickleball courts could be included; Thomas said she would confirm with Kimberly Horn and, if feasible, include courts in the public presentation on March 16.

After discussion, Commissioner Carmel moved to forward a favorable recommendation to the finance committee for the grant application; the motion received a second and passed on a voice vote. Thomas said that if the parks committee supports the application, staff will present to finance and, if finance agrees, the full commission would consider a resolution supporting funding later in March. Thomas reminded the public that the March 16 presentation is open to the community.

The committee’s next procedural step is the finance review; if both committee and finance approvals align, the project would be presented to the full commission before the April 1 grant deadline.