COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council approved a resolution on Monday night which authorizes an additional $25,000 annual contribution for the maintenance of the Robert W. Browne Aquatic Center and a commitment to fund up to 50 percent of the cost of a full time dedicated aquatic director for the facility.
This follows the approval last Thursday by the Branch County Board of Commissioners for an annual commitment of $25,000 for the next ten years which will be deposited into the maintenance fund managed by Coldwater Community Schools for future major repairs.
In return for the funding from the county, there would be a uniformed rate for all County residents at both the Center and City recreational programs.
A committee made up of staff members from the City of Coldwater and Coldwater Community Schools has developed a plan to ensure that the school district can continue to financially keep the Center in operation.
City Manager Keith Baker said last Friday during an interview with WTVB’s Ken Delaney that the pieces are coming together to keep the pool solvent.
Baker said in his letter to the Council for Monday’s meeting that the committee agrees with recent community feedback on social media that the activities, hours, and programming at the Center need to improve.
He went on to say, “The committee believes that the hiring of the first ever dedicated aquatic director, along with the oversight of a supervising community
committee will be a step in the right direction. With the proposed operation changes, local financial contributions and proposed annual contribution from the Browne Trust that the annual loss to the Coldwater Community Schools can be financially sustainable and will increase aquatic services to the community.”
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