MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Charles Dragga Pool, which served the community from 1958 until its closing prior to the 2024 opening of the city’s current aquatic center, will soon be removed.
Plans call for the pool to be demolished, then to have the site backfilled.
Baumann Enterprises was the lowest of the five companies that bid on the demolition work. Baumann was awarded the contract during the June 23 City Council meeting.
The demolition and removal of the pool’s components is one of three capital projects the city is undertaking this summer.
All came in at costs lower than budgeted, according to Assistant Public Works Director Chuck Brunello Jr.
Dragga Pool, which had been in disrepair the last several years of service -- the last being 2022 -- has been replaced by the $33 million aquatic/community center located off Marsol Road.
“The pool demo(lition) has not happened yet,” Brunello said. “We’re still in the process of getting FirstEnergy to remove the service and have it (the service) relocated.
“But (demolition) is scheduled to (take place in August) at some point in time.”
The cost of the demolition is $219,711. Brunello said he had budgeted $350,000 for the job.
Recreation Director Sean Ward said there are no special plans for the portion of the park where Dragga Pool is located.
“It will be seeded with grass, for now,“ Ward said. ”There are plans for that area as part of Phase 2 of the park master plan, but they have been put on hold with the large sewer project the city is working through over the next few years."
The city is creating a comprehensive infrastructure improvement plan to address and modernize its aging sanitary sewers, stormwater systems and water lines.
In doing so, it is collaborating with entities that include the city engineer, GDP Group, Cleveland Water and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
Phase 2 of the recreation master plan, when it is eventually scheduled, will include a reconfiguration of City Park, located off Chelmsford Road, that will extend the park’s seasonal use.
Phase 2 plans call for the installation of synthetic playing surfaces, an updated playground, updated pavilions and the addition of other amenities.
City Council asked that when Dragga Pool is removed, the sewer lines under the pool be checked for possible blockage.
Tennis court updates
Another capital improvement taking place relating to recreation is the current renovation and resurfacing of the city’s four tennis courts, located at the Marsol Road end of City Park.
“They’ve already ripped it up (removed the old surface of the tennis courts),” said Brunello, who is also Highland Heights’ mayor.
“They already did the intermediate course with the asphalt.
“They still have to do some drainage work and sink the poles, put in the fence and do the final coat of asphalt. Then it has to cure for 30 days, weather permitting.
“We’re also upgrading some of the electrical over there, so there’s work to be done.”
Other work will include striping and installation of wind screens.
The tennis courts may be ready for use by late August or early September.
Brunello said the tennis courts last received improvements about 17 years ago.
Tennis court repairs were budgted at $400,000, but the lowest and best bid totaled $350,000.
City Hall roof replacement
The third capital project is the replacement of the 23-year-old City Hall roof.
Last year, the flat part of the roof was replaced. This year, it will be the shingle portion of the roof covering City Hall and the attached fire department.
Brunello said he budgeted $250,000 for the roof replacement, and the lowest and best bid came in at $164,000.
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