Marengo contracts with Atlantic Bottling

MARENGO — Atlantic Bottling Company will contribute $1,000 a year for the operation of Marengo’s new pool through its Sponsorship Fees program in exchange for exclusive rights to sell its products to pool customers.

The Marengo City Council approved a resolution during its April 23 meeting to partner with Atlantic Bottling Company for five years. The city will provide Coca-Cola fountain drinks and ready-to-drink products from Atlantic exclusively and will purchase associated items, such as cups and lids, directly from Atlantic Bottling.

The bottler will provide menu boards, Coke branded tumblers, umbrellas and other merchandising, up to $250 annually.

Atlantic Bottling will provide two coolers in which to keep drinks, but Marengo will not be using the vending machine option, City Administrator Karla Marck said.

In exchange for the exclusive contract for the pool, Atlantic Bottling will pay $5,000 in sponsorship fees over the course of the contract.

Pool activities

Also during the April meeting, Marck asked the city council what activities it would like to offer at the pool when it opens this month.

The council discussed lap swimming times, pool parties and offering group swimming lessons.

City Councilman Travis Schlabach suggested offering only private swimming lessons this year and gauging demand for group lessons. “I think we’re too late in the game for this year,” said Schlabach.

The city would have to find an instructor if it offered group lessons said Marck, Private instructors can simply use the pool for the cost of admittance.

The city already has people wanting to give private lessons, said Marengo Mayor Adam Rabe.

City Attorney Gage Kensler said the city could offer group lessons with the stipulation that it must have a prescribed number sign up for them.

The city discussed what times it should allow lap swimming. Schlabach again said the city should wait to see if there is any interest.

“I hope that place is packed,” he said, but in the pool’s first year of operation, it’s hard to know what demand will be.

Council members preferred having lap swimming just before closing time, from 7-8 p.m., rather than from noon to 1 p.m.

The pool manager can always change it if there is demand lap swimming at noon, Schlabach said.

The city discussed fees and times for rental of the pool for parties.

Council members talked about having different rates depending on how much of the pool the party would use. They discussed allowing a party to rent the pergola for refreshments but not actually renting the pool. Party-goers could swim with the public at the regular cost of admittance.

“You are making this way too hard,” said Councilman John Hinshaw. People should rent all or none of the pool and pay one rate, he said.

“I think the one rate, $150 for two hours,” said Schlabach. Parties would be scheduled from 6-8 p.m. on weekends to keep from disrupting public swimming as much as possible.

Marck also suggested having special nights, such as family night and teen night, to boost attendance. Schlabach suggested waiting until the pool manager sees what kind of demand there is for designated nights.

Councilwomen Jenni Olson and Karen Wayson-Kisling were not present.