AUGUSTA — The Augusta Pool is expected to be finished before cold weather sets in.

During a meeting of the Augusta City Council recently, Augusta Maintenance Director Darrin Blevins said contractors have poured concrete, the steps are in and the drains are in the bottom of the pool.

“It’s been a slow process, but it’s coming along,” he said. “They’re telling me it will be running before it gets cold. When it’s finished, we’ll have a nice pool.”

The pool designs include a handicap lift, steps, a new service tank, a baby pool with bucket to dump water and a sprayer, as well as other changes. The full set of drawings can be viewed at Augusta City Hall.

The pool was closed in summer 2017 due to safety concerns and has been awaiting repairs since. The project was put out for bid and PSS Contractors was awarded the bid in the amount of $325,000.

After the initial bid, city council and former Mayor Wendell High approved a measure that would allow the city to enter into a bank loan agreement. The loan would have required collateral in the form of the city hall building or the Augusta Volunteer Fire Department building.

That has changed, however, according to Mayor Mike Taylor.

“We were able to find a cheaper route with the Kentucky League of Cities and we did not have to use the city building or the fire department,” he said. “And we’re saving money by going through KLC.”

The city also has funding from the Bracken County Fiscal Court in the amount of $150,000.

The $150,000 from the fiscal court was already given to the city each year in the amount of $7,500. Now, the city will receive 20 years of funding in a lump sum.

Christy Howell-Hoots

[email protected]