A summer tradition at a crossroads

[00:00:00]For many North Canton families, the Dogwood Pool is more than just a place to cool off in the summer. It's where kids learn to swim, where teens spend countless summer days, and where parents and grandparents watch a new generation make those same memories.

[00:00:13]>> But after more than 50 years, city leaders say the aging pool is reaching a crossroads. Your Star County Reporter, Tessa DiTiro, is live in North Canton this morning with more on what could be a major change for the pool's future.

[00:00:24]Tessa, what's in the works?

[00:00:27]>> Hi, good morning, Alana. Folks talking about this this morning, Mike. So, hey, it's already been hot this summer as it has kicked off, which means the Dogwood Pool behind me. I know it's dark and early this morning, but it is packed on a hot summer day here off 7th Street.

[00:00:41]But the city of North Canton estimates that because of some of the infrastructure issues that the aging pool has, maintaining it every season is costing more than $150,000.

[00:00:53]The city says really this pool needs to be rebuilt. So, whether it's built here in its existing site or somewhere else, it's going to cost millions. So, to plan for the future here, city leaders are now considering a land swap with the North Canton City Schools. So, that would trade the existing Dogwood Pool site where I am this morning with a former middle school and Orchard Hill School sites. The city would gain more than 20 acres from this, which is a blank slate for a pool rebuild and a lot more. Meanwhile, the district is interested in widening 7th Street to help ease some of the neighborhood traffic here. But the possibility of closing down this beloved pool and moving it has sparked a lot of reaction from the community as I mentioned. At this week's North Canton City Council meeting, dozens of residents showed up just to talk about the pool. Jim Quinn is one of those residents who wants it to stay right where it is.

[00:01:50]>> We know it's a beautiful pool that has been there since 1970, and we love it, and it's extraordinarily popular, and we don't want to give it up. That's the way, uh, you know, the the citizens look at it. And the city officials look at it as this huge burden that they're just sick of.

[00:02:07]Uh, so we have completely different viewpoints.

[00:02:13]>> If the land swap goes through, the pool would remain in this current location until 2030 for several more years because the district did agree to lease the pool back to the city for $1 a year.

[00:02:27]>> Every year we we get it, we limp it along, we get it up and operating. Right now we're operating with no plan. If something big were to happen, there's no plan.

[00:02:35]This land swap gives us time to put a plan together because the school is going to lease us back the pool property, the actual swimming pool, for 4 years.

[00:02:48]>> City leaders stress no decisions have been made about a new pool rebuild or what other development like might look like with that land swap. But maybe you hear this story and you want to weigh in. You have another chance on Monday, June the 22nd, at the North Canton City Council meeting, and those are held at the Civic Center on Maple Street. You'll have another chance as well on July the 6th. Now, the school board is set to vote on this on July 15th, and Mike and Tiffany, you know, we'll follow it.

[00:03:18]>> Yeah, definitely an interesting story here. I mean, change is inevitable, but sometimes it's tough to just give it up.

[00:03:25]>> Thanks, Tessa.