The City of Carbondale is taking the plunge in addressing a need expressed by many Carbondale residents in recent years.

There has been, over many years, residents of Carbondale asking for an outdoor swimming pool feeling that there is a need for such a facility, said City Manager Jeff Doherty.

The Carbondale City Council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution authorizing the city to execute a consulting agreement with the Thalden Corporation of St. Louis to conduct a market and financial feasibility study for an outdoor aquatics center.

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The study will give information on a conceptual design, the cost of the design and possible revenue generated by this facility, Doherty said.

The modern day swimming pool is becoming more of a recreational facility that has a little something for everyone, Doherty said. They even offer activities for those people that go to the pool and never get in the water.

Seven consultants submitted proposals to the city, including Planning Management Consultants of Carbondale. This proposal was rejected thought, Doherty said, because it was almost two and a half times the cost of the Thalden proposal.

Doherty said Thalden was also chosen based on the reputation of William Haralson who specialized in market and feasibility financial studies for recreation and entertainment projects. Haralson has an excellent track record with projects like this, Doherty said.

The total amount of the contract with Thalden is not to exceed $18,900.

Among other items the City Council accepted a gift of a restored caboose from Station Carbondale Inc. to be place on the railroad tracks next to the depot.

The Council also voted unanimously to approve a resolution donating the Carbondale Police dog Jasper to the Murphysboro Police as gesture of good will. Jasper will help the Murphysboro Police start up its own K-9 unit.

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Jasper, a German Shepherd, was Carbondale’s first police dog. In December, Ptl. Doug Brinkley, Jasper’s trainer, informed the city that he had accepted employment with the Illinois Secretary of State Police. This left the Carbondale Police with two options:It could pay for five weeks training for a new handler for Jasper, or get a new dog and pay for five weeks training on the new dog with a new handler. The working life of a police dog is generally eight to 10 years and Jasper is at the eight-year mark.

Trainers at Von Liche Kennels in Indiana where Jasper was trained said he could fetch as much as $2,000 on the open market.

Two agencies in Jackson County had expressed interest in Jasper:the SIUC Police Department and Murphysboro.

SIUC elected to pursue a new dog, but Murphysboro maintained its interest in Jasper.