Mount Carmel’s aquatic center project continues to move forward, with visible progress now taking shape at the site.
During Friday’s “Ask the Mayor” segment on WSJD, Mayor Joe Judge said crews have poured the entrances and are currently working on drainage. He also noted that many of the key components needed for construction have already been delivered.
Judge says work on the bathhouse could begin within the next week or two.
As for the long-awaited state permitting, Judge reported the city has received partial approval, with full approval expected either Friday or early this week. He says the city has now met all Illinois Department of Public Health requirements after recent discussions helped clarify remaining issues.
Among the final concerns were items like a concession stand window and a deck drain, both of which have now been resolved.
Judge also expressed frustration with the state’s process, noting hundreds of pool projects submitted last fall are still awaiting full approval.
An additional update came during Monday afternoon’s Mount Carmel City Council meeting, where Mayor Judge announced the city has now received full approval from the state to move forward with construction.
Judge also said groundwork at the pool site has officially begun, with crews now using heavy equipment to excavate the large pool area. He noted the project is beginning to progress and expressed hope that construction activity will move rapidly in the coming weeks.
