City moves toward debt financing as pool renovation advances
Cleveland Heights officials said Tuesday night the city will rely primarily on city-issued debt to finance the reconstruction of Cumberland Pool, a decades-old community facility that the city expects to keep open through the 2027 swim season before closing for work that would carry into 2028.
City Finance Director Joseph Brodzinski told City Council members a financing plan is being developed as the project advances toward construction. The city has applied for several grants but anticipates asking council in the spring to approve borrowing for the bulk of the cost. Officials said they may initially use a short-term bond anticipation note and later convert that into a longer-term bond depending on market interest rates.
"We are developing a financing plan as the project advances toward construction," said Joseph Brodzinski, the city’s finance director.
Officials plan to keep the existing pool open for the upcoming 2027 swim season, then close the facility in September 2027 for the reconstruction. Construction is expected to continue through the following year with a goal of reopening the renovated pool for the summer 2028 season.
Construction manager selection and delivery method
The city received nine statements of qualifications from firms interested in managing construction and narrowed that field to four finalists. Proposals were submitted last week and finalists were interviewed this week. City representatives said they expect to recommend a construction manager to council for approval on Friday.
Cleveland Heights is using a construction manager-at-risk process, which brings a construction firm into the project while design work is still underway. Roger Riachi, the city’s representative from RFC Construction, said that approach allows the city and the construction manager to identify potential problems and track costs before breaking ground — a factor the city considers especially important because the project involves renovating and expanding an existing pool and an older bathhouse.
"That approach is particularly important for Cumberland Pool ... because the project involves an older bathhouse and an existing pool that officials plan to renovate and expand," said Roger Riachi, the city's representative from RFC Construction.
- Facility remains open for the 2027 swim season.
- Planned closure in September 2027 to begin reconstruction.
- Targeted reopening for the summer 2028 season.
- Primary financing through city-issued debt, supplemented by grant applications.
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Design and CM selection | Late 2026–spring 2027 |
| Council financing approval | Spring 2027 (expected) |
| Pool remains open | Through 2027 swim season |
| Closure and construction | Sept. 2027–2028 |
| Target reopening | Summer 2028 |
Local impact and fiscal considerations
The city’s plan to borrow instead of relying solely on grants signals a significant financial commitment that will be folded into Cleveland Heights’ capital planning. Officials described the potential use of a short-term bond anticipation note that could be rolled into a longer-term bond as market conditions dictate, but they did not disclose a total project budget or a proposed borrowing amount at the council meeting.
For residents, the timeline means one more full swim season at the current Cumberland Pool before closure. The reconstruction is intended to modernize and expand the existing footprint, but the city has emphasized the need to manage costs and identify risks early through the construction manager-at-risk delivery method.
The selection of a construction manager and the financing decision in the spring will be pivotal next steps. Council approval of the recommended construction manager and the borrowing plan will determine when the project moves from preconstruction and design into full construction mode.
City officials have not yet released detailed renderings or a final scope of work for the bathhouse and pool expansion. Residents seeking additional information or opportunities for public input should monitor Cleveland Heights City Council announcements and upcoming project briefings.
The Cumberland Pool project illustrates the broader challenge facing suburban and municipal governments: balancing capital improvements to aging recreational infrastructure while managing debt levels and exposure to fluctuating interest rates.
