Voters in North Ogden will go to the polls starting at 7 a.m. to decide whether to tax themselves to enclose the lap pool at the aquatic center, which also includes a shallow pool with a slide, water sprays and playground. The shallow pool would remain open in warm weather only.

The city will sell $2.3 million in general obligation bonds if voters approve the measure, and taxes on a $167,000 home would go up $35 a year to pay off the bonds.

A committee interested in enclosing the pool tried raising the money, but found the task daunting, said Weber High swim coach Bill Cruff, a member of the panel.

The City Council, which has remained essentially neutral on the matter, agreed to put it on a ballot after a Dan Jones survey found better than 60 percent of residents would favor higher taxes for an enclosed pool.

The committee, however, is footing the $26,000 cost of the election.

Cruff's swimmers now train at Ben Lomond High and would benefit by having the pool open year round, he said. But it's not just about athletes.

"I'm hoping people will see it's not just going to be for lap swimmers and high school teams," Cruff said Monday. "There will be open swimming, water aerobics, lessons. Boy Scouts can train there."

A permanent building would be constructed over the pool, but its roof and sides would be partially retractable in hot weather.

North Ogden resident Bob Peasley, at the pool Monday with his daughter, said he finds the idea "ridiculous."

"It will cost a fortune [to heat]," Peasley said.

Dave Nordquist, manager of the aquatic center, said the polycarbonate glass in the ceiling of the structure actually would allow in more sunlight to help heat the pool.

"This is the newest way to cover pools around America," he said. "This is state-of-the-art stuff."

Amber Rasmussen, who lives nearby and was pushing her baby in a stroller to the pool, said having use of the lap pool in winter is not worth the higher taxes. "It's too small."

Jill Campbell, watching her son bobbing in the lap pool, said she doesn't want to lose the feel of an outdoor pool.

But, she added, "I'm all for it if I have to pay more taxes [to help] the schools."

kmoulton@sltrib.com