The Hermosa Beach Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday night agreed to take a closer look at how much it would cost to construct a public swimming pool within city limits. The vote was 4-1.

Commissioners agreed to the idea at the request of Ashley-Michele Ommen, a Hermosa Valley eighth-grader, who drafted a letter to the city asking the municipality to examine its need for a public pool.

Ommen researched the idea by outlining various funding sources that could make such a project economically feasible, and providing the commission with several cost estimates and potential site locations for the facility.

“I think Hermosa Beach should have a swimming pool because El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach all have one; and are only open to the public during certain times in the summer,” said Ommen. “I think it would improve Hermosa Beach and make it a better community. An Olympic-size pool with a diving board would cost $1.8 million to build, and I think with grants and the support of businesses the city could pay for it. Everything costs money and a pool is really worth it because I think a lot of people will use it.”

The Hermosa Beach Community Resources Department 10 years ago took a closer look at costs linked to build and maintain a municipal pool. It would have cost the city an estimated $1.3 million to construct a 25-meter pool and a locker room with annual operating costs of $200,000.

“Clearly, these costs would be increased significantly in 2002,” said Community Resources Director Mary Rooney. “Pools are what most community development departments consider to be a money pit because the costs of maintaining them outweigh their lack in revenues, although it would be a wonderful resource for kids and seniors. Since revenues from public pools only contribute modestly to the budget, in order to give preliminary consideration for the capital expenditure of a swimming pool, it would be essential to first identify a renewable annual funding source to support an expenditure of this magnitude.”

Commissioner Steve Francis was the lone dissenter on the issue and said the city does not have the additional revenue to support such an ambitious project.

“Fiscally, I just can’t see this happening,” he said. “I have three kids who all took swimming lessons in nearby cities. We could look into publicizing swimming programs in other cities but I just don’t see Hermosa being able to cover the costs with its current revenue sources.”

Rooney added that there are four main areas the city would need to consider when examining the idea of a public pool which include the yearly costs for maintenance and programs associated with any pool. Rooney will come back to the commission with a cost analysis, a list of possible locations and a report on other existing swimming programs in nearby areas.

“Staff could revisit the practice of placing seasonal city swimming programs at existing public pools in the area,” suggested Rooney. “Ashley’s letter and campaign for a pool are evidence that Hermosa Beach youngsters are active and contributing members of their community.”

Commissioner Howard Fishman complimented Ommen on her work related to the proposal and suggested that she might seek out the Hermosa Beach School District.

“Well, you definitely have a career in government, from a research analysis standpoint,” Fishman said. “We are all in agreement that it is a great idea, and I know this is an issue that our neighboring cities are struggling with as both Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach don’t own the pools, the school districts do. One twist in this is possibly presenting this idea to Hermosa’s School District. We are not closing the door on this by no means, but it does need further exploration.”