(Photo provided by Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
City of Cortland mayor Scott Steve and its council members had a brief discussion on the designated Wickwire Pool membership at its meeting on Tuesday.
The Cortland Youth Bureau (CYB) is establishing a membership system for Wickwire Pool to ensure safety and to provide enjoyment at the pool. Registration for free membership starts next Friday (March 1).
CYB director Andrea Piedigrossi previously told The Cortland Voice that the membership system was implemented following a summer in 2023 that included numerous trespass orders and other issues. Piedigrossi hopes the membership program will provide a better process of handling the pool.
“We hope that this will help if we have those issues this year,” Piedigrossi said. “We’ll have a better handle on being able to take those individuals who cause issues and turn the card off.”
The move by CYB resulted in a mixed bag reaction, with some supporting the membership and others speaking out against it.
Mayor Steve clarified at Tuesday’s meeting what CYB’s new system will entail.
“The program is to help people be accountable inside the pool area,” Steve said. “It gives us a way to communicate back and address behaviors if they’re unacceptable. It makes the pool more respectable and more pleasant for our lifeguards (and the community) to be there.”
To register for Wickwire Pool membership starting on March 1, go to cortlandyb.recdesk.com. Individuals and families can then stop by the CYB office on 35 Port Watson St. in Cortland to create an ID card.
The Wickwire Pool is scheduled to open on June 22, and the closing date is slated for Aug. 18. The pool will be open daily from noon to 7 p.m.
Further information on the membership system can be found here.
