Worthington's new outdoor pool project cleared several critical hurdles this week as City Council approved a series of agreements to formalize the transfer of land from Worthington City Schools to the city. These legal steps are a significant milestone, paving the way for the next phase of construction for the highly anticipated community facility.
The current aquatic facilities will remain operational through the 2025 swim season, with demolition and new construction to follow.
Council took action on three key items:
1. Real Estate Purchase Agreement Finalized
Council authorized the City Manager to execute the final purchase agreement for the 2.94-acre property where the pool is located. This agreement formalizes the terms of the land transfer, which were outlined in a previously approved memorandum of understanding.
A key component of the deal is a detailed parking and access easement agreement, ensuring pool patrons can use school parking lots/ During the academic school year, the school district will have priority for parking for its employees, students, and guests, a period that only impacts a few weeks where the school and pool seasons overlap.
The agreement also includes important accessibility enhancements. A new vehicle drop-off area will be created at the front of the pool, and an accessible parking space will be shifted closer to the entrance to ensure ease of access. The city and school district will continue their cooperative relationship to manage parking during large events.
2. Land Officially Subdivided
In a separate but related vote, Council approved the final plat to legally subdivide the 2.94-acre pool parcel from the larger 84.8-acre Thomas Worthington High School property. This re-subdivision, now known as the "McConnell Arts Center Subdivision Lot 2," was a necessary legal step for the city to take ownership.
he measure included several temporary variances for building setbacks. These were required because some existing pool structures, which are slated for demolition after the 2025 swim season, currently cross the new property lines. The new lot is just shy of the three-acre minimum required by code, necessitating a variance for its size.
3. City Assumes $1 Million ODNR Grant
The city officially agreed to assume a $1 million Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grant that was originally awarded to SwimInc for the pool replacement. As a condition of the land transfer, the city will take over responsibility for the grant's future obligations.
This primarily requires the property to be used for public recreation for 15 years after the project is complete. The city's 50-year plan for the pool already aligns with this requirement.
Crucially, the agreement includes a clause requiring SwimInc to indemnify the city for any claims related to how the grant funds were used prior to the transfer, protecting the city from past compliance issues.
Together, these actions represent the complex but essential administrative work required to move a major community infrastructure project from concept to reality.