CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR NEW POOL AT MARBLE HILL

MARBLE HILL -- Contracts have been awarded for the construction of the Larma Wisely Pool Complex in Marble Hill.

The complex will also house city offices, the police station and a community room.

The contract for the design of the complex was awarded to architect Charles Herbert of Cape Girardeau and engineering to Missouri Engineering Co. of Rolla. Construction of the stainless steel pool will be done by Gray Construction Co. of Salem.

The complex will be situated north of the business district on Highway 34 west.

According to David Jackson, the city's administrative assistant, the main pool will be a 30 by 75-foot stainless-steel-over-concrete structure. A smaller children's pool will also be built.

Adjoining facilities will include a bath house, concession stand and community room, in addition to city offices and the police station.

Locating the city offices in the complex will offset operational costs, especially during months the pool is closed, he said.

"The community room is designed to be an open meeting room for anyone to use," Jackson said.

The pool section of the complex is funded from an endowment by the late Larma Wisely. Other offices housed in the complex will pay rent to Wisely's trust account, Jackson said.

The complex is part of the Pellegrino Park annex development. Construction will likely begin in early June, Jackson said.

Wisely gave about $645,000 to the city between 1988 and 1990 to be used specifically for a municipal pool in Pellegrino Park.

The endowment has grown to nearly $800,000, Jackson said.