Webster Groves Seeks $22M Bond Issue for Pool Overhaul, Other Park Projects
Date Posted: December 14, 2023
Posted In: News, Projects,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The city of Webster Groves is asking residents to vote on a $22.1 million bond issue to fund a complete overhaul of the aging aquatic center and a list of other parks and recreation projects that city leaders say could be transformational for the historic suburb.
Proposition W, on the April 2 ballot, would fund an estimated $12 million renovation of the 28-year-old aquatic center, in Memorial Park at 33 E. Glendale Road, that provides public pools for the suburb of about 24,000 residents.
Another $10 million would go toward several other park construction projects and improvements discussed over the years, including an open-air theater at Memorial Park, renovation of the 29-year-old skate park nearby, construction of a splash pad at Ivory Crockett Park and a new park at Big Bend Boulevard and Oxford Plaza.
“This is an opportunity to ask residents if they want to re-envision how our parks system looks for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Scott Davis, Webster Groves’ parks and recreation director.
Taxes wouldn’t increase if voters pass the pool bonds. The city is finishing paying off bonds issued years ago for street repairs so the debt service costs wouldn’t go up, said Assistant City Manager Eric Peterson.
The new bonds would be supported by the current tax rate of 20 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and would be paid off over 19 years. Council members voted unanimously Dec. 5 to put the bond issue on the ballot.
If approved by voters, Webster Groves would join other local governments replacing aging pools and aquatic centers that opened decades ago. Both Florissant, the most populated city in St. Louis County, and in St. Ann, are overhauling outdoor pools after voters there approved bond issuances for the projects.