Amador County – Plymouth City Council last week heard that it must install a lift in its swimming pool to accommodate disabled people, at an estimated cost of $10,000.

City Manager and Finance Director Jeff Gardner said new law for pools means they “need to put in a lift to help people with disabilities to get into the pool.” The city and other public pool owners across the country have a federal mandate to install a lift, or a specially graded ramp, by a deadline of March 15.

Gardner said it would take approximately $5,000 to purchase a lift, and that would not include site preparation and the cost to install the lift. He said “the total cost would probably be $10,000.”

City Clerk Gloria Stoddard said “we don’t have the property to do a slope,” because the slope of the ramp is so slight. Development Director Richard Prima said the slope is a 1-to-12 ratio, and Councilwoman Sandy Kyles said the ramp of slope would require “300 linear feet” to roll into the pool.

Gardner said the pool is being run by the Amador County Recreation Agency at half the cost it was to the city. He said getting a lift was a one-time cost, and suggested they ask District 5 Supervisor Brian Oneto for part of the funding. Gardner said they could ask ACRA’s Executive Director Tracey Towner to “lobby him for it.”

Councilman Peter Amoruso asked if the lift would be mechanical or electrical. Gardner said he thought it would be mechanical. Councilwoman Patricia Shackleton asked what other cities are doing. Gardner said the city of Sacramento is closing almost all of their pools.” Gardner said he only knew of one jurisdiction with a ramp, but it was on an L-shaped, special addition alongside the pool.

Mayor Greg Baldwin said they should ask Oneto for the funds, and should keep the pool open. Gardner said the pool was popular with people from all over the county, and a “tremendous amount of people use it in the summer.”

Gardner said the lift seat swings into the pool and then lowers into the pool, then lifts and swings out. Vice Mayor Jon Colburn said they should approach the Plymouth Rotary Club, and “maybe we can dedicate the flea market proceeds this year” to the new pool lift.

The council directed staff to work on the idea and bring it for later consideration.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.