A group of Burr Ridge residents is working to boost memberships for Woods Pool in an effort to save the only outdoor swimming facility in the community.
The Burr Ridge Park Board is scheduled to discuss the pool’s future when it convenes at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Burr Ridge Community Center, 15W400 Harvester Drive.
Larry Ridgway and other residents near the pool, at 711 Tomlin Drive, have created a Facebook page and sent fliers to local elementary schools to try to boost memberships.
“The general thought we have been following is ‘Let’s get membership forms in people’s hands,'” Ridgway said. “The park district has said it will not process (membership) payments until after the board can meet and decide on the pool next Monday. At the end of the day, this should provide some evidence of support.”
Woods Pool has lost between $5,000 and $10,000 annually for the past six years, according to the Burr Ridge Park District, which has owned the L-shaped, 25-yard pool since 1995. The pool, which is close to 50 years old, belonged to a homeowners association before becoming part of the park district.
The district’s master plan envisions the 2 1/2-acre pool site eventually being turned into a splash pad and half-court basketball area.
Jim Pacanowski, director of parks and recreation, said the concept of using the pool for something else is only an idea and will play no role in the decision on whether to have the pool open for the 2016 season.
“It is an idea that was put out there,” Pacanowski said. “It is informational, an example of things that could be done with the pool.”
He said if the park district did want to turn the pool location into a splash pad, there would be a lot more sharing of information and meetings regarding the proposal before it would be approved.
Membership at the pool has declined from 88 families and 50 individuals in 2004 to 58 families and 11 individuals last year.
Pacanowski said it is a cycle that occurs every few years when the pool’s future is in doubt.
“Membership will get to 70 or 72 (families) and then it will be back to 50 in two or three years,” Pacanowski said. “Historically, there has been a one-year push but it has not been sustained.”
Ridgway hopes residents’ multiprong efforts will generate the interest to keep the pool open this year and for years to come.
The group’s Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/Woods-Pool.
Ridgway hoped that the Facebook page could be taken over by the pool manager where lifeguards or other staff could post photos and promote things going on at the pool. He said fliers about the pool issue have been dropped at Elm School in Burr Ridge and Highlands School in La Grange.
The group has also received the names and email addresses of people in Burr Ridge Park District programs for the past two years and reached out to them to make them aware of the pool issue.
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“I think we are doing pretty well,” Ridgway said of the current information campaign. “There is a lot of interest and support in the immediate neighborhood.”
Ridgway said much of the pool’s membership comes from the area bordered by County Line Road, Interstate 294, Plainfield Road and 55th Street.
“A lot of people can walk to it,” Ridgway said.
Ridgway is hopeful that the pool could go another four or five years without substantial repairs being needed.
“A key to help us next year and in future years is maintaining a data base of members and constituents, people with an interest in the pool,” Ridgway said. “A lot of people are not aware the pool exists.”
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.