Officials mull using $1.7M for Highway Patrol pool

Friday, March 8, 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri officials are considering using $1.7 million to renovate a Highway Patrol swimming pool for water rescue training.

The patrol’s pool was covered in 2001 because of leaks and the need for major renovations.

A proposal in Missouri’s capital improvements budget would re-establish the pool. The project also calls for building a new weight room and defensive training mat room that now are located over the pool.

The budget proposal calls for spending $200,000 in the fiscal year that starts July 1 and $1.5 million in the following year. Highway funds would be used for the project, which is allowed because it is for the patrol.

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RobHunterJohnson 2 months, 2 weeks ago

They got money to spend before the fiscal year ends or someone will have to take a look at the budget? rob

JCLifer 2 months, 2 weeks ago

What's wrong with authentic training in the Moreau River?

newone 2 months, 2 weeks ago

That is right, training in the Moreau River during winter is a great idea!

safedelivery 2 months, 2 weeks ago

I agree with JCLifer... What is wrong with the Moreau River, or any river for that matter?

saminjeff 2 months, 2 weeks ago

There are really two issues here: 1) Whether there is money to cover the upgrades/repairs. 2) Whether you need a pool to practice water rescues.

I'll answer the second question... absolutely. This is especially needed for initial training. Training in the water can be incredibly dangerous. It would most definitely include submersion and other maneuvers that are difficult. You certainly wouldn't want to start this training in a body of water (like a river) with currents and poor visibility. Why do you think the coast guard and the navy use pools? For safety. The other issue is how do you plan training in a body of water that is unpredictable?

RobHunterJohnson 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Where have they been training since 2001? Are we sure they really need that pool right now? rob

connor 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Rob kinda has a valid question/point. The article kinda skips over the fact that either there hasn't been water training since the pool was closed or, more likely, there is some other alternative that has been used. Perhaps this money is burning a hole in their need to spend pocket and maybe this isn't the time to be spending 1.5 million we don't have yet.

JCLifer 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Use the money for state employee raises!

Anyone heard anything from Kehoe and Barnes' committee lately? What is the plan to help those poor state workers and get Jeff City's economy going?

JVicors 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Perhaps leasing the YMCA pool woud be a good altrenative. Money from the Patrol into the local economy wouldnt be a bad thing would it? It seems to me the patrol throws it's weight around and doesn't have to answere to anyone for their expendetures like the apparent "sneaky" purchase of a 5.7 million dollar airplane, and now they want a swiming pool! When was the last time you saw a trooper on I 70 or I 44? Get rid of the plane, lease a pool, and use the money saved to put these troopes back on th highways where they belong! I personally think the patrol is, too powerful, getting out of control and too big for it's britches. It needs to be reined in, if the legilature has the guts.

RobHunterJohnson 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The operation dates for Jefferson Cities pools has a very short window during the summer months? Why not train before, or after the season at one of these locations? Leasing from the city would give ol park and WRECKS, some more money from a new source! Rob

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