Orange County

Eatonville residents push for pool to be restored

EATONVILLE, Fla. — Eatonville residents are stressed about another summer of public pool closures.

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Instead of being filled with clear water, pools are filled with dirty water and weeds.

The pool closed long before the COVID-19 pandemic because it was outdated. Now, Mayor Angie Gardner said it has sat untouched for three summers.

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Residents in the community said it needs to be restored so children can stay active and exercise.

But it’s also a missed opportunity to teach their children how to swim.

Pamela Stanley said the pool is a generational gift for the neighborhood.

“My children went to the pool,” she said. “They learned how to swim.”

Locals said they have to travel out of town to access a public pool and get that experience.

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And going for a swim on a hot Florida day is right across the street from Sierra Mann’s house.

She said it’s hard knowing that the pool is so close and could be used.

Steve Martin said he was ready to fund the pool in April so that the children could enjoy it by July, but he said the town didn’t want the money.

Martin said handing the pool over to the town and what happens after the first splash is the issue.

“Maintaining that pool is where the rubber meets the highway,” he said.

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Gardner said that town funds will be used appropriately now and the community meets every first and third Tuesday, with more opportunities to discuss where it would go.

She said it could cost between $100,000 to $120,000 to get the pool running again, but it does not include maintenance.

Eatonville does not have impact fees with developers and did not have a maintenance agreement for the pool in the past.

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