Marble Hill may find use for closed pool

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Marble Hill Mayor Nick Hendricks told the board of aldermen Monday night he hopes to see a roomful of people Oct. 19 when the city holds a public hearing regarding the use of the Larma Wiseley pool property.

The pool and the building next to it have sat unused for the past three years. At its last meeting, the park board voted to turn the property over to the city.

"They no longer want to use it as a park asset," Hendricks said. "It's now up to the board to agree to re-purpose the property. It is now in the hands of the board of aldermen."

Earlier, the fire department asked the board of aldermen to allow it to take over the property and use it as a training facility for area fire and police departments. Before the aldermen can vote on the fire department's request, it must hold a public hearing.

The hearing also will have another purpose, Hendricks said. He and city administrator Ron Lutes plan to clear up confusion that has surrounded the finances of the pool and its property for decades, and they will answer questions about it the public might have.

"We want to clear up any confusion about where the money went," Hendricks said.

Since Larma Wiseley left money in her will to build a pool for the community, there has been speculation about misuse of the money. Speculation intensified when it became apparent in recent years the money was running out. Hendricks said he and Lutes have researched the city's records and have found enough information about the matter to answer many of the public's questions.

"I hope they come to learn," Hendricks said.

The fire department's request for the property is not a done deal.

"If there are people who would like to see it turned back into a pool, we need to be able to address the financial side of that," Lutes said. "It would be great if a group would stand up and say, 'We would be willing to take over pool operations.'"

"I can't see it as a pool, but I think there are other options to turn it into something for the community," Alderman Kenny Trentham said.

The hearing will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 19 in city hall. Hendricks said the city's Facebook page has registered more than 2,000 views of the meeting notice, and it has been shared 32 times. Normally, however, few people attend public hearings when the city announces one.

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, Mo.