PAGE 2 - GROVE CITY MESSENGER - <strong>May</strong> 2, <strong>2021</strong> The Big Splash will open for the <strong>2021</strong> swim season on Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 29. Several policy changes have been enacted to promote public safety. Those changes include: • The Big Splash is available only to season pass holders. Season passes are sold individually online starting <strong>May</strong> 1. A pass is not required for a child younger than 3 www.columbusmessenger.com The <strong>City</strong> Beat The Big Splash to open, but with restrictions for safety God Bless Everyone & Stay Safe at Home Malek & ATTORNEYS AT LAW Malek WORK INJURIES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SAFETY VIOLATIONS WRONGFUL DEATH PERSONAL INJURY SLIP & FALL INJURY DOG BITE INJURY Douglas, Ed, Jim and Kip Malek Ben Churchhill “Hablamos Español” FREE Initial Consultation www.maleklawfirm.com 614-444-7440 1227 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43206 Blood drives in <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> The American Red Cross will host several blood drives in <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong>. The events include: •<strong>May</strong> 2 - 1 to 7 p.m. at the <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> Kingston Center Community Drive, 3226 Kingston Ave. •<strong>May</strong> 7 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Drury Inn and Suites, CHAMBER PROGRAM Continued from page 1 years accompanied by a season pass holder age 16 or older. • To use the facility, pass holders schedule a time block or “wave” up to 48 hours before their intended visit. Three waves of two hours and 45 minutes are offered each day with 45 minutes between each wave reserved for cleaning. Wave times are: 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., 2:30 to 5:15 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m. • No day passes will be sold in <strong>2021</strong> to ensure as many season pass holders as possible can enjoy the facility. • The Big Splash is open daily Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 29 through Monday, Sept. 6 except when the South- Western <strong>City</strong> Schools District is in session (June 1- 4; Aug. 25-27, 30-31; and Sept. 1-3). • A season pass may be purchased by a resident of <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> or unincorporated Jackson Township for $50. Non-residents may purchase a pass for $100. • By purchasing a season pass, patrons agree to adhere to all rules and regulations presented by the city of <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> including those put in place to limit exposure to COVID-19 (i.e., mask wearing and social distancing) as well as other communicable diseases such as crypto. Swim lessons will be offered at The Big Splash starting June 12 in a variety of skill levels, days and times. Participants are not required to be season pass holders. Those interested can register as one would for a traditional class offered by <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> Parks and Recreation. Registration opens on <strong>May</strong> 10 along with other June-July Parks and Recreation Department activities. For more information, visit www.grovecityohio.gov. community events 4109 Parkway Centre Drive •<strong>May</strong> 11 - 1 to 7 p.m. at the YMCA, 3600 Discovery Drive •<strong>May</strong> 13 - 12 to 6 p.m. at Covenant Church, 4178 Buckeye Pkwy. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-448-3543 or visit www.redcrossblood.org. pandemic. Consumers purchase a buy one, get one certificate from the chamber and receive a specific certificate up to $25. <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>May</strong>or Richard “Ike” Stage said the program has been a success. He said he spoke with several small business owners who reported that the certificate program helped to bring in new customers. According to the legislation, 25 businesses participate in the program and in just eight business days, approximately 700 people bought nearly 1,700 gift certificates amounting to $50,000. “Businesses were hurt by the pandemic,” said councilman Ted Berry. “We have funded grants for Town Center organizations. This branches out and focuses on small businesses.” While councilman Randy Holt supported the legislation, he had an issue with the amount of money that was to be set aside for administration fees and marketing. The original ordinance appropriated $40,000 for the certificates with $10,000 going to administration and marketing. The first round of funding for the initiative, in 2020, included $50,000 for the certificates and $25,000 for marketing and administration fees. Council did vote to amend the ordinance to specify that $45,000 be used for the gift certificates while $5,000 can be set aside for marketing. Council also amended the legislation to use federal stimulus dollars to reimburse the city should the program be eligible for anticipated rescue plan funding. Not all council members were on board with funding the program. “I’m not a fan of using tax dollars for private businesses that are members of the chamber,” said councilman Aaron Schlabach. He compared it to a members-only club. “It’s like a membership drive for the chamber. It just doesn’t seem right,” he said. According to Shawn Conrad, the executive director of the <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> Area Chamber of Commerce, there were six new businesses that joined the chamber to participate in the program. She also said it costs approximately $160 a year for a small business (with one to three employees) to be part of the chamber. Any independent brick and mortar business that sells goods directly to consumers, who employ 20 associates or less are eligible to participate in the certificate program. Businesses must operate within the <strong>Grove</strong> <strong>City</strong> boundaries and must be members in good standing with the chamber of commerce. Council president Christine Houk also voted against funding the program. “I am a supporter of the chamber, but this is not a good use of government dollars,” she said. According to Houk, most of the funds used for this program have gone to just a handful of businesses. “It may not have reached the businesses that needed it the most,” she said. Houk said she would prefer the buy local certificate program be funded and administered through a nonprofit organization. Per the legislation, the chamber will give the city a list of members who participate in the program. The chamber will also provide weekly or monthly receipts to the city so officials can keep track of money spent. For more information on the Buy Local Certificate Program, visit www.gcchamber.org.
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