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Work set to begin on Fillmore pool
New complex to replace closed facility
STORY TOOLS 
More from FillmoreThe city of Fillmore will soon break ground on a $4.4 million aquatics and tennis facility, more than eight years after the community's old public pool was shuttered for health code violations.
"It's extremely exciting and very, very important because we've gone a few years without a community pool and, as hot as it is in Fillmore, it's sorely missed," said Councilwoman Cecilia Cuevas.
"It provides a needed lifestyle for our residents from young to old."
The City Council voted this week to approve a construction contract with H.M.H. Construction of Camarillo.
Construction is slated to begin in July, said James Azbell, vice president of H.M.H. Construction.
Azbell said he is hopeful the project will be finished in seven months.
The complex, to be built adjacent to Fillmore High School at 555 Central Ave., will have a 3,672-square-foot building and a 25-meter pool. The complex will include a small play area for children, tennis courts, picnic areas and an off-street parking lot.
In 2000, the only public pool in the city — a pool owned by the Fillmore Unified School District — was shut down for health code violations, said Assistant City Planner Manuel Minjares.
"We haven't had a pool since, and it was a popular facility," Minjares said. "This is very significant for the city of Fillmore because the site was owned by the school district and it was a pool heavily used by the high school and the community."
The high school swim team has been holding its practices in Santa Paula.
"It's significant for the high school swim team because they are just about tired of practicing outside the city," Minjares said.
About two-thirds of the city's voters backed paying $15 a year on a tax measure in November 2005 to pay for the new pool.
"Everybody has been waiting for the project since they voted for the parcel tax," Minjares said.
Temporary street closures are planned during construction, and various phases may also affect incoming and outgoing traffic at the high school, said Azbell.
"We'll work carefully to ensure that there will be as little an impact as possible," he said.
Construction will be carefully coordinated to coincide with school hours, ongoing construction on Central Avenue and high school track and field improvements, he said.
"In most every project you have the need to coordinate with other projects," Azbell said. "We have a sense of cooperation, and we'll be working carefully not to pose a problem to them."
The pool will be named after Neil Schmidt, a local supporter of the pool who has been involved in the community.
Residents are asked to visit the city's Web site for construction updates and call the Fillmore City Planner's Office with any concerns at 524-1500, ext. 113.
Posted by psoto4mat on May 17, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Living in Fillmore, the kids here have not a whole lot to do in the summer. This will bring a lot of joy back into Fillmore for the kids and keep them out of trouble. This is truly exciting! It's very hot in the summer.
Also, what happened to the Fillmore blog site? Is it to much that we want to place our opinions? Anyways this will be great for the kids! I am very excited for them!
Posted by heritagevalley on May 18, 2008 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"the community's old public pool was shuttered for health code violations"
Shuttered? Do they mean shut down?
I hope they force EVERYBODY to take a shower before using the pool. It would be disgusting to have people to use it as a bathtub.
I once lived at a apartment building that forced everyone to go in the shower before entering the pool. Needless to say, the pool was always clean and had no health issues.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 19, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A shower first would be nice. BUT with all the chlorine they put in it, it will kill the germs and bacteria. The pool was not properly maintained back then and then left empty with a bit of water in it causing lots of moss etc. I also wonder how much they are going to charge the kids to get in now. ? I hope its not too much so that they can't afford to use it.
psoto4mat ,Is that site gone or what? I haven't checked it in awhile.But I can find out why if its shut down..........will get back at ya.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on May 20, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
All pools have chlorine but it takes a lot of it to be effective and who wants to be submerged in a over-chlorinated pool? That is why many facilities force people (and especially kids since most don't clean themselves very well) to shower first. It also saves the money on filters.
I hope they don't discount pool fees to attract the wrong crowd.
Posted by flmrmom on May 20, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What would be the "wrong crowd"?
Posted by psoto4mat on May 20, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Annawhat, they have removed the blog site. Please find out why. That was a good place to talk about issues in Fillmore. And what is the wrong crowd. Color doesn't matter here.
Posted by stopit on May 20, 2008 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's safe to assume that the "wrong crowd" would be the unwashed masses lol.I just hope this $4m pool comes with working restrooms that are close by.I think admission at the gate should be whatever a bag of chips and a soda costs.
Posted by Brownpride on May 20, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The pool will be brown and yellow within the first hour.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on May 21, 2008 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
flmrmom and other socialethnic extremist who think I am taking about them,
The "wrong crowd" would be gang bangers, for one, who would go there to cause trouble (assuming they would not want to spend the money since gang members are general not rich kids).
I would also assume anyone who can't afford to use a shower would not spend money to take a dip in the pool. Water is expensive in Fillmore as everyone knows.
I think I need to start my comments with the first paragraph when talking in forum.
Wait, Brownpride said the pool will be brown and yellow. Is he saying that us brown people and indian people will take over the pool?
Oh wait, he taking about something else, oh yes, bodily functions.
Posted by flmrmom on May 21, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vcsexplorer, I actually agree w/ your comment, I was just wondering. I didn't think you were talking about me, especially since me & my kids both are caucasion/hispanic, so I don't get offened easily. Besides we wont be at the public pool, we have our own.
I think you're right about gang bangers wanting to show up to start trouble, I hope they won't even let them in. They should have a strict dress code, not swimsuit-no swimming. If someone tries to get in wearing Dickies,white t-shirt,penalton..they are obviously not there to frolic in the pool :) This will also help keep the pool cleaner if they don't let people swim in just shorts and t-shirt.
Posted by vcsexplorer11 on May 21, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flmrmom,
Thank you for the clarification. Maybe I should have been more specific in my original comment.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 24, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vcsexplorer11 ,Filters do need to be cleaned on a regular basis in order for the skimmers to work properly. It use to be able to gas the pools also after putting in the chlorine. Then wait about an hour before using. It really helped the process. But yes everyone should bathe first. I have to agree on that one.
psoto4mat,I have NO clue, havent been online for awhile. But I will find out why......
Brownpride,not sure what you mean by brown but I would think they should empty the pool if that occured and get everyone out immediately!
I agree a 1.00 or 1.50 would be an appropriate price to charge per person.
Although I agree with the dress code , alot of kids do not know a swim suit. Most boys do wear shorts when swimming. I would say if anyone it congregating as a gang around the area they are banned from returning.
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