A group plans to protest Friday the late opening, user-fee increase and possible closing of an Oak Forest Park District pool.
The district sent notice to residents early this year that the pool, at 14902 Park Ave., would not open on Memorial Day because of needed repairs. The facility opened in June, with higher membership fees in effect.
The district also said the pool may close permanently after this season.
According to residents, these decisions have not always been voted on by the Park District Board but have been made by the district’s chief administrator, Donald Burns, who also is a city alderman.
Residents say they are upset that they are not getting answers to their questions about a recreation facility paid for by their tax dollars.
As a result, more than 20 residents said they plan to protest the Park District’s actions from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday near the entrance to the city’s 4th of July celebration, Oak Fest ’98, on 159th Street, just east of Central Avenue.
According to Burns, an evaluation of pool finances have shown that the facility has lost about $75,000 over the past three years.
