By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
The City of Olean swimming pool at War Veterans Park could reopen for the 2027 season.
The Olean Common Council approved a nearly $1.1 million bid from Patterson-Stevens Inc., Tonawanda, for the swimming pool upgrades project. The bids were opened April 22.
Aldermen voted 4-1 to accept the bid and proceed with the swimming pool upgrades.
Outgoing Council President Vernon Robinson Jr., I-Ward 6, reminded aldermen that residents had made it clear earlier that they expected the swimming pool to be repaired. Joining Robinson in voting to accept the bid were: Alderman Lawrence Bennion, R-Ward 1; Alderwoman Sonya McCall, D-Ward 4, and Alderman David Anastasia, D-Ward 7.
Alderman Joseph Keary, R-Ward 2, said he was voting no out of concern over the upcoming city audit.
The city pool did not open for the 2024 swimming season because the Cattaraugus County Health Department could not certify the pool’s 50-year-old sand filter, which was failing.
Last year, the state awarded the city $850,000 to use toward reopening its municipal pool.
It’s not clear when Patterson-Stevens Inc., will begin the city pool upgrades. There is also a question of the structural soundness of some of the swimming pool walls. Depending on the results of testing, the cost of the pool renovations could increase. Additional work could push back the opening date.
The project includes: the removal of the existing wading pool and associated equipment, full replacement of the pool filter room piping and systems, and reconstruction of the concrete pool deck, including new floor drains, cleanouts, and underground drainage piping, installation of a new 5,000-gallon backwash holding tank, and replacement of the perimeter fencing and pool gates.
Meanwhile, no opening date has been set for the new splash pad adjacent to the city pool. The contractor had been waiting for a missing part in order to power up the splash pad.
Earlier this month aldermen set a $5 fee per session for the splash pad.
IN OTHER ACTION, aldermen:
- Designated Mayor Amy Sherburne the city’s representative to administer state funding for the city’s Phase 1 Pump Station and Infiltration and Inflow Improvements Evaluation.
- Awarded bids for aviation fuel at Olean Airport to AvFuel.
- Awarded the 2026-26 tree work contract to Busy Beaver Tree Service.
- Authorized the mayor to sign a consulting agreement with Ade Adu, Buffalo, for marketing services for the city using the bed tax. The mayor said Ade Adu has submitted a proposal to the City for social media and digital marketing services, video production, branding, and tourism promotion for the City of Olean.
- Postponed consideration of a $235,000 bond to pay for new video cameras inside and outside the Municipal Building and in some parks and other public areas. The delay may increase the cost of the video system. There was some concern about placing video surveillance in parks.
- Also postponed was consideration of a local law to set administrative civil penalty fees for property maintenance and building code violations.
- Heard a report from Public Works Superintendent James Sprague that a crew from Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad had begun work to prevent stone from rolling into the Queen Street pedestrian tunnel as requested by the city. The railroad is also going to place lighting inside the tunnel.
- Sprague said he hadn’t heard back from the railroad on his choice of a warning system to prevent trucks from striking the Front Street overpass.
Discover more from Olean Star
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
