The City of Mentor engaged the collaborative expertise of Counsilman-Hunsaker and R.E. Warner to conduct a comprehensive facility condition assessment report for the historic Garfield Park Pool. This strategic audit was commissioned to pinpoint elements that fall short of standards or are not performing as originally designed. The park boasts two interconnected bodies of water dating back to the 1950s, collectively operating as a singular system.
Originally in private ownership, the city acquired the pools in the 1980s, undergoing noteworthy enhancements in 1985 and 2013 to modernize the pools and mechanical systems. Unfortunately, the Garfield Park Pools have been inactive since 2020 due to mechanical challenges and staffing constraints, prompting the city to keep them temporarily closed. Once frequented by the local swim team, which has since relocated to Civic Pool and utilized for recreational swimming and other City programs, the pools carry a rich legacy.
Approaching their 75th year, the Garfield Park Pools confront physical and functional challenges. The assessment identified issues encompassing pool shells, surfaces, water circulation and filtration, and gutter systems. In tandem with the audit, the expert team presented the city with a range of viable options for replacing these cherished pools, aiming to guide future decisions focusing on longevity, functionality, and community benefit.