Medford High pool empty, with no fill in sight
Officials say budget blues will keep the Medford High pool closed for a while.
The Medford High School pool remains empty about two years after the city declared it unsafe, and officials say it will likely stay that way in the down economy, considering the estimated $2 million price tag for the necessary repairs.
"There's no [federal] stimulus money coming out for schools and skating rinks," said Bob Maloney, athletic director for the school district.
He added that the city declared the pool a hazard after steel reinforcements came through the basement and ceiling. Also, further damage to a water supply pipe running beneath the pool could flood the school if the facility reopened.
"It would be a catastrophe around here," Maloney said.
The coed swim team practices in the mornings before school at Tufts University. All of the team's meets are away, with the first scheduled for Dec. 14 against Malden High School.
Superintendent Roy Belson said he would love to fix the pool in a better economy, but state cuts to education aid - including cuts to a special fund for severely disabled students that could cost Medford as much as $500,000 this year - require painful choices.
The city's budget for fiscal 2010 - which began in July - cut roughly $1.3 million from the schools, forcing eight teacher layoffs, among other cost-saving measures.
"Right now [the pool] can't be at the top of the list," Belson said.
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