Westminster pursues aquatic and swim center

Westminster has approved the idea to locate a year-round aquatic and swim center on the city property that contains the municipal swimming pool.  In a special meeting, the city council last night approved the concept of allowing Todd Chrisley, a cable TV reality show host who has a Westminster background, to pursue the project thru a 25-year lease for a nominal fee.  But there are hurdles to overcome.  Mayor Brian Ramey and others stressed that, although he has had phone conversations with Chrisley, the project is conceptual and is dependent on the parties working out a contract, to be followed by a public hearing, before city council votes on whether to convey the Lucky Street pool property of 5.1 acres.  One issue to be settled, according to one councilman, is what happens if Chrisley failed to deliver an aquatic and swim center.  Several Chrisley supporters squeezed into City Hall and applauded when the council approved Councilman Ronald Dotson’s motion to proceed. Last night’s meeting failed to get off to a swimming start.  Susan Ramey complained that members of the public present should have been given a chance to speak, but the councilwoman conceded she was unaware of city rules that prohibit comment from the audience at special meetings.