In this case, no news is probably not good news, especially for those still hoping to someday again go for a dip in the Carole Ann Wald Pool in St. Edward State Park.

Kenmore City Council scheduled a special summer meeting Aug. 23 to discuss the status of the pool, closed since early December 2009 because of financial problems connected to its operation.

The recent special meeting turned out to be a very short one, with City Manager Frederick Stouder saying the next steps regarding the pool essentially are dependent on the outcome of an ongoing city-sponsored engineering study of the facility.

That study is expected to be completed by outside consultant ORB Architects in September, with a report to council slated for Sept. 20.

In the meantime, Stouder said the only real development is a report from the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission stating its previous budget problems only have worsened.

The state owns the Wald pool and attached gymnasium, but traditionally has sought an outside operator to handle the day-to-day management of the facility.

Stouder stated that in a phone conversation with state Parks and Recreation Director Rex Derr, Derr said his department has been asked to prepare for 4-to 7-percent budget cuts effective Oct. 1.

Going forward, Stouder said that the parks and rec department was warned to anticipate its share of an additional $500 million reduction in state spending.

In what might be a sign of bad things to come for Washington as a whole, Stouder also added that in preparing for their 2011-2013 budgets, each state department was told to take into account a 10- percent reduction in the state’s general fund.

With all the budget problems, Stouder said Derr went on to reiterate what has been his commission’s stance for some time: that operating the St. Edward pool is not a part of their core mission.

According to Stouder, Derr also said Washington Parks and Recreation will not spend any dollars to mothball the pool in order that it might be reopened at some point in the future.

However, Stouder added that if Kenmore wants to act to preserve the pool for future operations, Derr indicated that the state will cooperate.

What steps might be needed to preserve the pool for future use? In a letter sent to the city Aug. 23, ORB principal engineer Geoff Anderson said a leaky roof, as well as leaks in the pool itself could cause deterioration that would make reopening the pool financially prohibitive.

While it was not mentioned in Anderson’s letter, another concern seems to be the possible “heaving,” or buckling, of the pool or pool liner if the pool is drained.

According to information released by the city and based on comments coming from ORB, some heavy material, such as pea gravel, needs to be placed in the pool to prevent such damage. Cost has been estimated at $36,000 with the city very likely responsible for paying those costs.

The city authorized approximately $29,000 to finish the ORB study. At the Aug. 23 council session, Stouder said he OK’d up to an additional $5,000 in further expenditures connected with the work. Those dollars will pay for restarting a pool pump, for water and state worker man hours needed to make the study happen.

Stouder added that the state parks commission flatly declined to share in those costs.

“This quite frankly is in keeping with what they have been saying, that they will spend no more money on the pool,” Stouder said.

Councilmembers gave no indication if they are willing to back the city paying whatever costs might be connected with repairing or mothballing the pool. Like Stouder, Mayor David Baker later said such decisions will come after completion of the ORB study. Does it make sense for Kenmore to spend money to finish the engineering work if officials aren’t necessarily willing to spend even more dollars down the line?

“We made a commitment to the community to do the study,” Baker said, adding some community members have promised to help raise funds to save the pool if needed, as well as to help find a new pool operator.

Finally, Baker contends the ORB study will provide any potential operator with the baseline condition of the pool.