(Photo by Gwen Sour) Marietta City Councilwoman Jade Thompson shares a draft promotional flyer for the Marietta Family Aquatic Center during Thursday’s council meeting.

Marietta City Council approved measures addressing the city’s aquatic center, infrastructure projects and a new film permitting partnership, during its regular meeting Thursday at the Armory.

A key portion of the meeting focused on Ordinance 31, which covered the Marietta Family Aquatic Center, where council unanimously adopted legislation authorizing the city to seek bids for its operation.

Before adoption, council amended the bid document to include updated timelines and new requirements for daily reporting and attendance tracking. Councilman Jon Grimm said the changes were intended to respond to concerns about the facility’s financial performance.

“The amendments that were just made are an attempt to address some … valid concerns,” Grimm said, adding that the pool has lost about $60,000 over the past two years.

Councilwoman Jade Thompson presented a series of marketing and operational ideas to increase usage and improve revenue at the aquatic center.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Brianne Moore expresses her support for the Marietta Family Aquatic Center during Thursday’s Marietta City Council meeting at the Armory.

Thompson said one focus is expanding and promoting season passes to encourage long-term participation.

“We’re working on some family season passes, hopefully, making the family pass for six people instead of four,” she said. “Trying to get families to support this by buying season passes that we can maybe track and then make goals for next year.”

Thompson also proposed adding referral incentives and increasing outreach through schools and community organizations.

“We could send things home through the schools and day care centers,” she said, noting plans for printed materials and banners to advertise the facility around town.

She also advocated for an online purchasing system for passes.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left, Marietta City Councilman Jon Grimm and Councilwoman Katie McGlynn discuss legislation prior to the start of Thursday’s council meeting.

“If you had a portal and you’re able to buy it digitally, you’re going to get more success that way,” she said.

Additional ideas discussed included QR codes for quick access to ticketing, free or low-cost social media promotion and potential business sponsorship opportunities.

Public comment reflected divided opinions on the aquatic center.

Ken Snyder questioned continuing to operate the pool at a loss.

“I don’t understand why you keep opening up and losing all that kind of money,” Snyder said. “I can’t operate my household like that.”

Others urged council to maintain the facility. Brianne Moore spoke in favor of the pool, focusing on its value for youth and families.

“These are the reasons we keep it open,” Moore said, gesturing to a group of children at the meeting. “It’s important … for safety reasons too.”

Council suspended the third reading and adopted the aquatic center ordinance unanimously following the amendments. Council also adopted Ordinance 32, which establishes rates for the aquatic center for the 2026 season.

Council unanimously approved Ordinance 36 establishing a film and media production permitting process and formalizing a partnership with the Mid-Ohio Valley Entertainment Commission.

“I think we should do everything that we can to help this little industry that’s going on downtown,” said Councilwoman Katie McGlynn. “It’s exciting!”

Ordinance 33, related to the Acme Street Corridor Improvement Project in coordination with the Ohio Department of Transportation, was adopted with an emergency clause. Law Director Paul Bertram said the measure is critical to keep the project on schedule.

“This is just as important, or probably more-so important, than the participatory agreement,” he said, noting the project includes intersection upgrades, sewer improvements and pedestrian safety enhancements.

Council also adopted Ordinance 34, which includes funding tied to a pass-through grant for the Harmar Bridge.

Ordinance 35 authorizes a residential deck extension into the right-of-way along Second Street. Councilman Bill Gossett said the project would not interfere with roadway space.

The next regularly scheduled Marietta City Council meeting will be 7:30 p.m. April 2 at the Armory.