PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RECORD-BREAKING SEASON … The Montpelier Pool had record-breaking attendance of over 10,000 people this 2025 summer season.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Park Board met on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at the Recreation Office to hear reports and updates on pool maintenance, recreation programs, and upcoming projects.
Sandy Gordon called the meeting to order, with President Angela Hillard, Matt Reid, Kyle Long, and Nick Ramos in attendance. Montpelier Council members Nathan Thompson and Chris Kannel attended the meeting as well.
After approving the previous month’s minutes and the financial statements, Ramos gave the Park & Pool Maintenance update. He stated that he continued to exercise valves, emptying the pit, and controlling the weeds on the deck. The department also met with Tate Fackler to discuss placing additional anti-slip material along the pool edge.
The chemical budget was also increased for the upcoming year due to heavy summer use and prolonged heat.
Gordon continued to give the Recreation update. She reported a successful soccer season, which is set to end on October 6, 2025. She also completed the application for the Parkview Grant for the Free Lunch Program.
The Board shot down a motion to include a Fitness Court on the Iron Horse River Trail. They stated that incorporating a potential Fitness Court would take away priority from the current pool issues.
Montpelier Ball League requirements underwent a few minor changes, including the stipulation that any plaques attached to structures must have prior approval from the Park Board before installation. Information regarding umpire tax forms was also added to the new rules.
The board made final decisions on the Memorial Tree project soon to come to Montpelier. While not expected to start until 2026, members opted to go with Gordon’s recommendations for the tree style and type. The plaques for the memorial will be from Fackler Monument and include engraving, foundation, and setting in place.
The Iron Horse Disc Golf project has made major progress in the last month. After walking through the proposal of the area with Stan Tipton, quotes and maps were drafted for the meeting.
A total of nine holes will be created, which is estimated to cost under $10,000. Member Matt Reid, who has taken the helm of the proposal, will return to the next meeting with clearer financial information.
The Economic Development and Strategy (EDS) Committee joined the Park Board meeting, with Nate Thompson and Chris Kannel present.
Kannel announced that the Village Council of Montpelier wants to help take on the project of potential pool renovations. This is due to the record-breaking attendance of over 10,000 people this summer.
Kannel introduced a couple of different routes the board could choose from. They could help support annual maintenance with no specific capital improvements, identify projects that need to be addressed with the new Park Capital Improvements Fund, or invest in State and Federal grants.
“Two years ago, personally, I would have said – let’s just put some band-aids on it,” said Reid. “Now, if we get 10,000 people this summer? That’s a lot of people in three months. I say let’s shoot big!”
“I think the pool is an asset personally,” commented President Hillard. “It gives teenagers a job in the summer, it gets people active, and it gets people outside.
“I think it’s a good selling point in our community. I’m all for option C (State and Federal Grants), because I think it needs to be redone.”
The board asked the EDS Committee to provide a more concrete plan of action before final approval. While a complete renovation of the Montpelier pool is estimated to cost over three million, they hope to get federal or state financial assistance in the future.
The Montpelier Park Board adjourned at 8:36 p.m.