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City looks for alternatives as Louisville pools remain closed this summer

Because public pools cannot open this summer, officials said they will use donations from Jamon Brown and the Atlanta Falcons for alternatives.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Despite receiving $10,000 towards keeping the city's pools open, Metro Parks said Louisville's public pools will remain closed this summer.

Mayor Greg Fischer announced in April that the four pools would close because the city did not want to begin the process of hiring lifeguards if they had no money to pay them.

NFL player and Louisville native Jamon Brown donated $5,000 in support of Metro Parks, with the Atlanta Falcons, his current team, matching the donation.

Still, Jon Reiter with Metro Parks said the pools will remain closed because the budget cuts caused a significant deficit in their operating expenses.

"The pools have significant capital needs that need to be addressed and the operating expenses this year were a casualty of the budget cuts caused by the pension crisis," Reiter said.

The mayor's office said Brown's foundation understood the pools may not reopen before donating. Brown's and the Falcons' donations will be used to provide alternatives to people who had previously used their pools, Reiter said.

Still, parents are left worried about what their kids will do this summer.

"It's going to be a hot summer, and these kids don't have water? That's not going to be good — for anybody," one parent said.

Metro Parks previously asked for public input and are studying survey results to decide how the funds will be used. The mayor's office said they are communicating with the YMCA and private donors to brainstorm different options.

Reiter said he hopes Metro Parks will have more on the alternatives next week.

RELATED: Mayor Fischer: Four public pools will close due to budget cuts

RELATED: Jamon Brown, Atlanta Falcons donate $10K to start efforts in keeping Louisville pools open

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