Sullivan will open, run GR pool

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Businessman Bob Sullivan loves the water.

For years, he was a lifeguard, safety instructor and at one point, he trained Grand Rapids police officers on lifeguard skills.

"I thought others should enjoy that memory," he said.

Sullivan grew up in the Richmond Park neighborhood and spent many of his summers swimming in the Richmond Park Pool.

"When I found out that the kids weren't going to be able to swim this summer, it kind of hurt my feelings," he said.

With that, Sullivan pledged to open the city's Richmond Pool, one of six city pools shut down as the city grapples with a $9.5 million budget gap. Sullivan also pledged to pay entrance fees for all city children if the city can find the funds to open all six pools.

The budget crisis makes that seem unlikely.

"My first preference would be that you open all the pools," Sullivan told Grand Rapids city commissioners Tuesday.

But Richmond Pool will open through Sullivan's largesse.

The details are still being worked out, but Sullivan told 24 Hour News 8 he expects to open the pool with a combination of volunteers and his own money.

"This could give me some points to get upstairs -- that's why I keep working," Sullivan said. "I hope I can help."

The volunteers would handle pool maintenance and other functions, he said.

It's not clear what Sullivan's cost will be. He hopes the volunteer help can bring his cost down to about $100,000, he said. In the past, it costs the city about $200,000 a year to open each pool.

Third Ward Commissioner James White suggested the community get involved by writing a $10 check to cover the cost. With about 80,000 registered voters in the first and third wards, he said half of them could take care of the cost.

"If we had $10 from 40,000 people, that's $400,000," White said.

Anyone interested in donating should write a check to the city treasurer and mark it for the pools.

Hiring lifeguards and getting the pools ready to open may be a challenge, City Parks and Recreation Director Jay Steffen said. About 100 people per pool would be needed for staffing. Steffen has received plenty of resumes, but is afraid many applicants already have found work.

"We had targeted June 24 for our opening day," Steffen said. "I would say that date is in jeopardy based on it being so last minute."

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