MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — City Council’s Committee-of-the-Whole was told Monday (Feb. 22) of the results of a feasibility study, and shown preliminary plans that both pertain to the city’s proposed new pool and community center.
City officials stressed that what was shown is preliminary and that much work is yet to be done before, or if, the plan, budgeted at $17 million, materializes. City Engineer Dan Gerson, of the GPD Group, showed council and the administration a plan for a one-story new community center and pool complex that would be constructed just west of the current building, where there are now ballfields. The site of the current community center, 6306 Marsol Road, which would be demolished, would be used by the city’s service department.
The study was conducted to determine if a new city pool, to replace the one at City Park, could be built across Marsol Road on the city land next to I-271 that is now home to ballfields and the Ross C. DeJohn Community Center. The study included an environmental site assessment, underground utilities survey, pool and community center layout and size determination, boundary survey, zoning and parking evaluation, and storm water analysis.
The layout shows a new, single-story, 32,075-square-foot community center that wraps around the new pool and a playground, and serves as a sound buffer between the recreation area and the noise generated on I-271.
“I was not a proponent of putting it (new pool and community center) where they want to put it, but in hindsight, I think it’s a good plan and that’s probably the best place for it,” said Councilman Donald Manno, who is one of two council representatives, along with Council President Diane Snider, to the city’s Recreation Commission. “However, there’s a couple things I would like to see, suggestions, when it comes time to forming this thing up.”
The preliminary plan for the proposed new Mayfield Heights community center and pool, north of I-271. An architect has yet to be hired to draw an official plan. Mayor Anthony DiCicco said residents’ input will be sought before any plan moves forward.
Manno said he’d like to see the building stand two stories high, to form a better buffer and to allow for second-floor meeting rooms to free the first floor for other events. He also would like to see the community center’s kitchen be readjusted in the plan so that it provides more central access to all three planned activity/meeting rooms.
“It’s an ambitious plan,” Manno said. “My advice to the Mayor (Anthony DiCicco) and to (Recreation Director) Sean (Ward) is that we’re never going to be Mayfield Village, we don’t have the land and we don’t have the wherewithal, but whatever we do, it has to be first class. It’s got to be top shelf, no corners cut. Do it right the first time and it’ll last for a long, long time.”
The preliminary plans show a six-lane lap pool, a zero-depth entry pool and a sprayground. The pool deck area would measure 75,000 square feet, with 10,750 square feet of water area. A playground is located closest to Marsol Road, and a walking trail encircles the entire complex. The preliminary plan shows 183 parking spaces. The community center would also include a gymnasium. Manno said a new community center would retain the Ross C. DeJohn name.
As for replacing the ballfields upon which the complex would be built, Ward said, “The ultimate plan, the long-term plan, is to put a multipurpose turf field across the street (in City Park) that would accommodate (new ballfields). But that would be phase two.
“Phase one is a new pool, community center, and add-on of a gym. The community center, we need an upgrade of the facility that’s there. The facility is small for a city our size and the building is dated. I think it’s time for a fresh, new start.” The current DeJohn Community Center was built in 1977.
Ward said that the new gym would be used for the city’s young summer campers, which number approximately 180 annually. When it rains, those campers are now sent down the street to Lander School. “We’ve done that (sent the campers to Lander School) for a number of years, but we’re just looking for a better option. The gym, Ward said, would measure 110 feet by 90 feet, which is larger than an elementary school gym, but not the size of a high school gym.
“I like what was presented,” said DiCicco. “I like that we incorporated in the (recent resident recreation) survey (results), things they’d like to see. But, keep in mind, this is just a preliminary proposal. Really nothing is set in stone. We still want to go to the residents to show them what we have. We still have to go to an architect and really get the thing drawn up, officially.
“What was presented was basically, ‘Hey, the area you guys were thinking of putting the pool, it can go there.’ That was the main thing we were worried about — could it go there, could it fit there, and will the ground there support it?
“We’re very early in the game,” he said. “It could be changed around a lot. But, basically, where the building is and where the pool deck is, is pretty close to where it would end up. Now, what we put in those areas and where we put it in that area is still up for debate. The building, we definitely want to act as a buffer between the freeway and the pool.”
Manno said that if everything proceeded on schedule, the new building and pool could open in 2023. He added that, in addition to the .5-percent income tax increase that was passed in 2020, additional sources of funding may be needed before plans proceed.
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