Friends of South Lorain donate $40K to pool project

New pool expected to open in May

Lorain City Council accepted a $40,000 donation at its meeting March 18 for the Oakwood Park pool scheduled to open in May.

The Friends of South Lorain donated the funds for pool passes as well as operating expenses of the Oakwood Park Pool, according to a resolution that was unanimously passed.

“The City of Lorain desires to express its deepest appreciation for the generous donation from Friends of South Lorain for pool passes and operating expenses for Oakwood Pool within Oakwood Park in the City of Lorain,” the ordinance stated.

“This is what a city is made of,” said Councilwoman-at-Large Sylvia Duvall.

Ward 6 Councilman Antonio Baez said it’s a gracious gift.

“The kids should have a great time this summer because they’ll be swimming,” Ward 3 Councilwoman Pamela Carter said.

Council also unanimously passed a resolution to a second reading that, if passed, would allow it to send a ballot question increasing the length of council terms from two to four years to the Lorain County Board of Elections.

The resolution stated that terms for at-largecouncil members as well as those representing Wards 1, 3, 5 and 7 would be increased with voters’ approval in January 2026.

New terms for Council president and members representing Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 would go into effect Jan. 1, 2028, if voters were to approve the issue, the legislation stated.

The deadline to file the resolution and proposed ballot question with the Board of Elections for the Nov. 5 general election ballot is Aug. 7, officials said.

Council also unanimously agreed to accept a proposal from the Lorain Port and Finance Authority to begin construction of a new 1,986-square-foot covered concrete performance stage with a 4,576-squarefoot sculptural form roof, an amphitheater that will include 48,000 square feet of sloped lawn seating for 4,000 patrons and a standing capacity of 8,000, according to city documents.

The plan also calls for an adjacent building housing a 1,364-square-foot green room facility that includes a changing room, bathroom, office, water closet, janitor closet and an additional 1,528 square feet to be used for auxiliary space, according to the documents.

The immediate phase of construction will include the removal of the existing concrete stage and installation of new pedestrian walkways and accessible green roof.

Additionally, in future phases, the proposal includes a 2,094-square-foot building between Broadway and Black River Lane for “an unidentified future tenant with a pedestrian esplanade connecting to the new amphitheater,” the documents stated.

Final phases of work will include constructing a river overlook, site lighting, two reconfigured parking lots, pedestrian pathways and other site improvements.

And, in other news, Council unanimously passed a resolution designated March as “National Women’s History Month to celebrate the significant contributions of women helping to build a fairer, more just society.”

The 16 women who have served thus far on Council each were named in the resolution, which was read by Ward 2 Councilwoman Victoria Kempton, include herself, Mary Jo Cook, Wanda Tully, Carolyn White, Sarah Pecora, Kathy Tavenner, Anne Molnar, Bernice Wargo, Melanie Szabo, Lori Kokoski, Mary Springowski, Beth Henley, Pamela Carter, Joanne Moon, Sylvia DuVall and Mary Spellacy.

“We commend the achievements and milestones of women, past and present, in various fields, most especially those women who have paved the way for Lorain residents, having served on Lorain City Council,” the resolution stated.