Sean C. Morgan
School District 55 plans to cut most of its swimming pool costs this summer in an effort to keep the facility open.
Supt. Larry Horton presented a list of priorities for budget reductions to the School Board last week. The list includes mothballing the pool. He is estimating a cost of $36,000 to mothball the pool.
Aquatics Director Junia Calhoon and swimming pool supporters proposed that the district spend that $36,000 on pool operations instead.
In the proposal, Calhoon would volunteer her time as aquatics director, cutting the cost of operations to $98,639.
Anticipated revenue from operating the pool is $38,000, leaving a difference of $24,639, which pool supporters and users will need to raise through donations, grants and other fund-raising programs.
Calhoon and Swim Club President Bruce Davis presented the proposal to the board as one of two options. The other option was for the district to cover the $24,639 as well.
“The board’s consensus was to do the $36,000 that the district would pay to mothball the pool and keep the pool heated and operational so it can be used by the community,” Horton said.
Any program or group wishing to use the pool will need to pay for itself, the cost of lifeguards, or it will not be able to operate, Horton said. That allows the swim and water polo teams and the Swim Club to continue to use the pool.
“We have two grants that we’re working on right now,” Calhoon said. Pool users also recently received information about an opportunity for a grant from the Snohomish Tribe.
Concessions at Oregon State University games also will provide funds, Calhoon said.
Swim staff pressure-washed muddy four-wheel drives at the annual Mud Festival earlier this month, which raised $1,500, Calhoon said.
A committee to form an aquatics district has an account to accept donations at Key Bank, and bracelets are for sale at Economy Drug inside Thriftway and Steelhead Gym and Fitness.
Donations to the program are tax-deductible, Calhoon said.
The aquatics district committee is getting ready to gather petitions, Calhoon said. Right now, it seeks volunteers to circulate petitions.
The aquatics district requires 1,036 signatures from registered voters, Horton said. “We would hope to get approximately 1,500 signatures.”
The committee will then deliver the petitions to the Linn County Board of Commissioners and begin a fairly lengthy process to get the aquatics district on the ballot, Horton said. The committee is hoping to get the district on the May 2012 ballot.
In the meantime, those seeking swim lessons this year should be aware that the pool will have two sign-up days, Calhoon said. She will not be able to take late registrations. Calhoon will schedule the lessons, which are taught by private individuals.
The cost is $40 for groups and $55 for individuals. The charge ensures compensation to swim teachers, she said.