While the pool serves the entire community, the largest age group that it helps is children. Since the pool has re-opened, no children have drowned in the area, as all elementary students learn how to swim. The pool is also one of the largest employers of youth in Pacific County during the summer months.
The board of the pool was in distress the last several weeks, as the summer months are approaching and the pool currently lacks many leadership members and adequate funds.
A large amount of the leadership issue may have been solved at the meeting; four people were nominated to leadership roles. Lisa Carney was nominated to be President, Jim Carney as Vice President, and Lisa Olsen and Michael Spencer as new board members. Two positions are still vacant, including secretary and fundraising chair. The position of fundraising chair is particularly important, as the pool is low on funds this summer.
Several representatives of local organizations and coalitions who were present at the meeting stepped up to help serve as a fundraising committee, but this committee needs to be headed by a chair. Ideas were discussed to raise funds, including starting an online donation drive and applying to grants.
The pool’s current funds are $26,950.50, which is approximately $1,000-$2,000 less than normal at this time of year, explained Treasurer Rocky Stamper.
In addition, some major maintenance issues are going to weigh heavy on pool funds this summer. Board member Ken Russell explained that the pool currently has a slow leak, leaking about one foot of water in three weeks. To have a professional assess the damage will be expensive.
Also, Russell explained that the sealant on the deck installed three years ago has started to break down because of UV rays. Randy Dennis, who is also involved with the pool, has spoken to the company who installed the deck, and they have agreed to supply the materials to fix the sealant, a cost equivalent to $70,000. The labor costs that remain, however, will cost approximately $30,000, as the project requires specialists.
On a positive note, the slide will be running again this summer as a local artisan made new slide handles to replace the old, rotten ones.
While the meeting solved a lot of the problems facing the pool, volunteers are still needed to raise money, help out during the summer, and clean up before the summer season. The pool clean-up will be May 31 from 9 am-noon, and everyone is welcome to show up and help out. Contact the pool for information on how to help out in other ways at raymondpw@willapabay.org or by calling942-4151.
The next pool meeting will be at June 26 at Raymond City Hall.