(WENY) -- Last week, WENY News reported the city of Elmira's plans to tear down the historic Brand Park Memorial Pool later this year. But before that happens, a local man wants to document and preserve the history behind the pool and others across the country just like it.

"In the video I'm creating about the [Brand Park Memorial] pool, I kind of go through the history from the beginning to its coming end," said Caleb Madl, a documentarian and videographer. "The beginning kind of starts with the Sullivan expedition. One of the veterans from the Sullivan expedition was one of the first settlers in Elmira and then eventually the land was sold to the man that built what we see as Brand Park." 

Madl grew up just a few blocks from Brand Park Memorial Pool, and said he would hear stories from friends and family who swam there.

"I would just see it driving by, or I would often see it playing basketball at the basketball courts right next to it," he said. "It was constantly in my life, but I was never able to swim in it. So, I was very intrigued by it."

When he moved back to Elmira in September, he wanted to tell the story behind the pool. It was an important story to him, and he wanted to tell people about the pool's story and those just like it across the country.

"The video is really about the Brand Park Memorial Pool, but it is also about these other pools. So many of them have such a similar story and this one is just particular to me," said Madl.

Around 1900, the park was donated to the City of Elmira, and an architect named Wesley Bintz helped build the original pool. The first pool was built in 1926 but was destroyed by a flood in 1946. The pool was rebuilt in 1949 and was dedicated to World War I and World War II veterans.

Brand Park Memorial Pool was enjoyed by many community members until the flood of 1972.

“Since that time, it's gone downhill," said Elmira Mayor, Dan Mandell. "The longer you let something sit vacant, the more it deteriorates.”

"Elmira has had a long history of bad floods that have just ruined the city and everything around it," said Madl. "So, 1972 was kind of a pivot point. [Brand Park Memorial Pool] was still enjoyed through the 70s, 80s and 90s, but it was kind of a steady decline from there." 

Bintz helped build roughly 100 to 150 other pools across the country, but few remain operational. In Madl's documentary, he not only documents the history behind Brand Park Memorial Pool, but also other pools like it.

"Today, roughly 15 or so are still standing. The number of open ones gets smaller and smaller every year," said Madl.

Madl has visited a few of the pools in the Midwest and on the east coast. He recalled what a pool in West Virginia and Michigan was like.

"The day that I got there (West Virginia), I read online from the local newspaper that it was going to be demolished in the next few days," he said. "So, it was cool to see it right before it got demolished. The pool in Lansing, Michigan was one of the first Wesley Bintz pools that he built. It has kind of this grandstand of seating for people to stand on that overlooks the pool."

Madl said he hopes to have his documentary finished within the next week. He said he's trying to figure out the details for a viewing party.

To watch Madl's documentary once it's posted, just head to his YouTube page.

In the interest of transparency, Madl is employed at WENY News as an editor and videographer. WENY plans to follow up with Madl once his documentary is finished.