The Rev. Atkins Park pool repairs are on schedule, and the pool should open on Memorial Day, said Covington Mayor Candace Watkins.

Covington City Councilman Mark Sacco questioned Watkins on the financial status of the pool and where the money came from to do the repairs.

Also questioned is the current cost of fixing the pool, originally estimated to be at $80,000, and how it dropped to $43,000. Watkins said the money for the pool came from a premises account from last year’s (2007) budget and maintenance and water infrastructure repairs from this year’s budget.

According to the mayor, the total cost will be about $74,000 because the city will be pouring the concrete. Maintenance costs will be $45,000 this year, including year-round maintenance of the pool that includes chemicals and personnel.

Some dispute arose as to whether the amount quoted includes the new fencing and if the amount would be a recurring expense for the city every year.

Councilman Lee Alexius said the total cost is more like $90,000.

Councilman Matt Faust said he agreed with fixing the pool but not with taking money designated from other budgets and projects to do so.

Councilman Clarence Romage agreed with both statements and asked how much was moved that was designated for fixing water pipes and sewer lines that will now forego repair due to the pool.

Councilwoman Frances Dunn, who represents the district where the pool is located, said that it’s all worth it and “We’ve gone through this before.”

NAACP President James “Gus” Davis said the pool has been there for 48 years and has historic value for the black community. He also said it seems Covington has money coming into the city but “we always have to defend the pool.”

Covington City Council President Trey Blackall assured Davis the issue being discussed was not the pool itself but the manner in which finances had been secured to accomplish the pool renovation.

He also added a new pool should have been built instead of spending $45,000 to fix the old one and having the pool go green two weeks after closure.

City Administrator Beverly Gareipy said the repairs being made to the pump system should address those problems this year.

Watkins agreed the issue was a control of money issue, not the pool itself.

She said that the pool is for everyone’s use and she plans to have an employee picnic and her son’s birthday party at the park.

She said that the pool is city property, and she simply moved the money to maintain city property. She ended by stating the issue was that the current charter allows the mayor to move budget items, and the current charter revision commission will be addressing that issue, among others.