It's too early to predict the fate of the effort under way to reopen Butler's Memorial Park municipal swimming pool. But judging from what has been going on behind the scenes, it would appear that prospects are good for reopening the facility, if not in 2009 then in 2010.

A financial map is in place for effecting the needed pool repairs and renovations to allow it to reopen, and it would now seem to be just a wait-and-see proposition in terms of how the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources views the project.

An application for a $125,000 DCNR grant has been submitted, and word of the grant's fate is anticipated this month.

If the grant is received, pool work could get under way by winter, according to city Councilwoman Kathy Kline, who is director of Parks and Public Property.

Meanwhile, the city's Save Our Swimming Pool group is continuing its fundraising efforts — already having raised $12,500.

The city has decided to allocate $105,000 in 2008 federal Community Development Block Grant money for the pool effort, and $30,000 in block grant funds due the city next year already have been targeted for the pool project.

The lack of a city pool since August 2004 has been a sore spot for many community residents, despite the availability of the pool at Alameda Park. The county-operated pool's distance from the city's core area is an issue for many children in the city who are unable to find transportation to the county facility — as well as parents who would like their children to have an additional recreation resource close to home.

Some residents have been critical of the city council for not being more proactive on behalf of the pool before now, despite the financial problems that had dogged the city in recent years.

The city's emergence from its financial crisis opens a window for the efforts on behalf of the pool.

The Save Our Swimming Pool group, which was created by teachers and students at Broad Street School, has set its fundraising goal at $20,000. It is hoping that more businesses and individuals will open their hearts and their checkbooks on behalf of this community asset.

The pool-repair-and-upgrade effort is expected to cost $250,000. The main focuses will be to repair the pool's leaks, fix its broken filtration system, and correct the pool's depth, which, according to state regulations, is too shallow.

But that total is based on a 2006 study, and it is not out of the question that the final bill will be higher.

For that reason, the Save Our Pool group would be well-served to look beyond raising $20,000, if possible.

To many city residents, the effort on behalf of the pool is a godsend. But they need to acknowledge the ongoing financial commitment from the city that will be required if the pool reopens.

That could mean signficant taxpayer funds each year.

Many communities find that having adequate recreational facilities helps to avoid problems resulting from young people not having enough to do. That has been the thinking of many people here as they have lamented the pool's inactive state.

There are no assurances at this point as to what the pool's fate will be, but at least a serious effort is in the works on its behalf.

The community should feel good about that, while reflecting on the fact that, in its current state, the pool is a blight on what is otherwise a very appealing and attractive city park.