Budget talks target Sioux City pools - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Poor attendance may leave Sioux City with fewer pools to manage in coming years.

Mayor Bob Scott thinks Sioux City pools cost more than they're worth. In operating budget talks this morning, Scott asked Public Works for a detailed financial report on Sioux City's five pools.

Scott thinks many of them are under utilized and cost more than they make. If the report confirms that, Scott says he'd like to get underperforming pools off the payroll, perhaps by giving them to neighborhood associations. The mayor says they could be replaced by aquatic centers like Riverside's, which city officials say is turning a profit. "All I want to do is see if there's a way to make that swim program be revenue neutral. I think there is a potential with those aquatic type centers to do that," said Mayor Scott.

Sioux City officials say they've already found one possible location for a new aquatic center. They say their research shows a need for a facility closer to downtown.