ENMU, Portales pool negotiations ongoing

Swimming pool negotiations between Eastern New Mexico University and the city of Portales are still ongoing, at least for now.

Interim City Manager and Fire Chief T.J. Cathey presented a proposal to the City Council at Tuesday’s regular meeting, but it was tabled because of costs and concerns about parental supervision. 

In the proposal, the city would be required to hire and train a manager and 12 to 15 lifeguards. Cathey said if the city decided to include an admission fee to the pool, then ENMU would get 5% of those proceeds. 

Cathey said the predicted hourly wage for the lifeguards would be $16. 

City officials said last month the city’s pool needs about $1 million in repairs to open this summer.

“It would require a special engineer and architect because it is classified as a historical building,” Cathey said. 

Councilwoman Dianne Parker said she would like the city to make the pool a priority project so they could offer a pool to the public next summer. 

Cathey said the city is looking into grants for funding.

Councilman Mike Rackler questioned whether it would be better for the city to leave the old pool and create a new one. Cathey said due its historical designation by the state, the city would be unable to destroy the area. 

Rackler suggested the Council hold off on negotiations with ENMU until the next City Council meeting.

“I don’t know, it seems like an awfully large cost,” Rackler said, noting salaries alone would be about $66,000. 

Another concern Rackler expressed in the proposed agreement with ENMU was the requirement to have parents supervise their children the entirety of their visit at the pool and “drop-off” wouldn’t be allowed. 

“You’re not going to have many people there. Because there’s not many people who are going to be able to sit there with their kids,” Rackler said.