The Muncie City Council approved a $2 million bond last week to pay for repairs needed to reopen the city's only public pool in Tuhey Park downtown.
The council was left deadlocked after an initial vote on the issue, but after being brought to a second vote, council president Mike King changed his vote to allow the bond.
King did not return calls for questions about his vote.
Council member Jerry Dishman, who voted to grant Tuhey Park the money, said he would like to see someone held accountable for allowing the pool to fall into such disrepair.
"I've had several people come to me and thank me for my vote," Dishman said. "My question is, why did we let the pool get this way?"
The pool stayed closed for its second consecutive year despite an extreme heat wave in Muncie.
The park's Interim Superintendent, Matt Bailey, said the pool became too expensive for the city to maintain after it closed during the summer of 2008 due to various equipment issues.
"The facility became pretty prohibitive cost-wise," Bailey said. "The funds just weren't available to keep it safe and functional."
Muncie native Damara Caramesines said she thinks the pool's reopening is an important thing for the community.
"Going to this pool growing up was one of my favorite pastimes," Caramesines said. "Mothers with kids need a place like this to go, especially on these hot days."
Bailey said pool-goers might see some new amenities when the pool reopens next summer, including a splash pad, improved parking and "hopefully a new slide or two."
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