A suggestion floated by Grand Traverse County Chairwoman Christine Maxbauer to explore putting a millage for Easling Pool on a county ballot proposal failed to garner much support from fellow commissioners Wednesday night. Some board members – including Bob Johnson and Dan Lathrop – advocated for closing the pool entirely. “I think it serves people in Traverse City proper, but most people I serve…in Kingsley and Fife Lake think it’s a waste of money,” said Johnson. Agreed Lathrop: “I don’t think we should be in the pool business. A lot of money is going into this old (facility).”

Other commissioners, however, including Addison “Sonny” Wheelock defended the pool’s utility and its importance to different groups in the community. “We need to remember that the Easling Pool does provide a public component,” said Wheelock. “There are people in our community that depend on the pool, use the pool, who don’t have the ability or means to own a YMCA membership.”

County Parks and Recreation Director Kris Erickson – who noted the pool is funded through the remainder of 2015 – told commissioners she has been meeting with YMCA leadership to explore possible partnership opportunities in operating and managing Easling Pool. She asked the board not to take any hasty action in “turning off the lights” at the facility. “We can try to get something going with the Y…and find some fundraising opportunities outside of the tax base,” she said. “We can try and make a plan, and get people to rally around that.”

Commissioner Alisa Kroupa – who also serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission – said she’d also like to see the YMCA “manage the pool." She added the county should consider “(putting) pressure on partners like TCAPS and NMC and the city” to help out financially at the facility. “(The pool) lies in the city,” Kroupa said. “I think we can ask the community to help us.”

Commissioners did not take any action on Easling Pool Wednesday night. The topic is expected to be an ongoing subject of discussion at future meetings.