Waitsburg has until end of month to match pool grant
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 15th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WAITSBURG – For the third year in a row Waitsburg has been without a city pool. Now, an effort is underway by the Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District and the Waitsburg Friends of the Pool to raise money, apply for grants, and build a new city pool.
Due to extensive structural Issues associated with the old pool, the Waitsburg City Council decided to not open the city pool for the 2022 summer season. The city pool was also closed to the public for the 2020 and 2021 swim seasons.
“We are proud that our community took excellent care of the former city pool and we enjoyed nearly 100 years of use,” Waitsburg Friends of the Chairwoman Karen Huwe said. “It is time to move forward.”
Huwe said the next step is to raise money to match one anonymous donor’s recent $10,000 grant to the pool project. The deadline to match the $10,000 grant is Sept. 30.
“Matching dollars show our community is dedicated to our project and more competitive for $500,000 to $1 million grants at state and federal levels,” Huwe said.
Waitsburg Friends of the Pool intends to apply for grants this fall and winter. She estimates the new pool will cost more than $1 million. It would be built at a new location. Depending on grants and donations, the hope is to have a new pool in three to five years and sooner if possible. Anyone wishing to match the $10,000 grant may do so.
To learn more about the pool project or how to donate, visit the Waitsburg Pool Committee Facebook page.
