Development News

Ypsilanti, YMCA team up to preserve local pool

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

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Ypsilanti

An old pool in Ypsilanti could get a new lease on life.

The Ann Arbor YMCA is exploring the option of taking possession of and refurbishing the Rutherford Pool in Ypsilanti. Right now the organization is considering a feasibility study.

"We're very excited that they might do something with it," says April McGrath, assistant city manager for the city of Ypsilanti.

But doing 'something' is much easier said that done. The pool is 35 years old and "beyond repair," according to one city official -- the normal lifespan for this type of pool is 25-30 years. The city and the Friends of the Rutherford Pool have done a number of repairs in recent years to keep swimmers afloat. It's open this year, so hope springs eternal.

A spokeswoman for the Ann Arbor YMCA declined to speak about the organization's potential plans for it.

Source: April McGrath, assistant city manager for the city of Ypsilanti
Writer: Jon Zemke