Parks and Rec Board submit levy to keep Ritzville pool operational

At the risk of facing a pool closure during the upcoming summer season, the Adams County Parks and Recreation District No. 4 board is placing a capital improvement levy on the Feb. 14 Special Election ballot.

The proposed levy is $80,000 for the resurfacing of the recreational pool at the Ritzville Water Park facilities. The levy is for collection in 2018, but the work would be completed at the pool prior to the 2017 opening.

The project has become a necessity for the district, as the current surfacing in the pool continues to deteriorate and cause issues for pool patrons. Without an immediate fix of the surfacing, the parks and recreation board members worry the pool may have restrictions or they will be forced to close the one pool.

The pool in need of resurfacing is the recreation pool, which also includes a wading pool for young swimmers. This pool is also utilized with the water slide, as well as for annual swimming lessons.

For the past three years, the Board has focused on fixing the issues as they arose and doing small patchwork to keep the pool operational. During the last swim season, Board Member Marie Borth reported there were 27 incident reports from children regarding scrapes or cuts from the pool.

This also resulted in concerns being raised by the Adams County Health Department in terms of health safety, Borth stated.

The pool facility is currently 15 years old, and has not been resurfaced since the original construction. After resurfacing, the material is expected to last 10-12 years with proper maintenance. Borth stated the Board began patching problem areas in the pool during the last three years.

The Board recently passed their biannual Maintenance and Operation (M&O) levy, but Krista Krause explained the funds are used for the general operation of the pool and necessary updates to the facility.

While the Board has attempted to save money to pay for the resurfacing, unexpected issues and the rising project cost left them with a need to go to the voters for the capital improvement levy.

To complete patchwork on the worst areas of the pool would cost around $10,000 alone, Borth added.

Krause emphasized the recreation pool is the most used pool at the facility. At the risk of having to close off the pool if the measure does not pass, she expressed her concern with Ritzville running the risk of losing another important community resource.

On average, the Ritzville Water Park employs 20 individuals during the summer. The park also averages 120 visitors a day, and is the main focal point for families during the summer months, Krause said.

Borth explained while it is not guaranteed the pool will not be able to open without the work, the health and safety concerns still remain.

In the case the levy does not pass, Borth said the Board would have to meet with the Health Department to see what their options are in order to open for the 2017 season.

From a parent’s perspective, and as a Board member, Kandis Duff voiced her concern for children swimming in a pool where injures are common because of cuts from the surface.

Duff said without the completion of the resurfacing project, there may be other parents who have concerns about their child’s safety and decide to not bring them to the facility, which could prove detrimental to the pool’s long-term success.

The Board members share a common passion and goal for the facility. Their purpose is to continue providing a fun and safe family activity, and run a facility the community can be proud of.

The Water Park is the most utilized outdoor activity area in Ritzville, and the Board members reiterated it would be a huge loss to not have the facility open.

Even if the pool closes for one summer and reopens the next, the Board members shared their concern that families would not return the following year if they could reopen.

Along with the capital improvement levy, the facility is also in need of a manager for the summer.

Applications can be picked up at the Ritzville Public Library’s location in the Lind-Ritzville High School Library, or can be obtained by emailing Borth at [email protected].

The capital improvement levy will appear on the Feb. 14 Special Election ballot, which will be mailed to Ritzville voters between Jan. 25-27. The last day to register to vote is Jan. 16.

Voters can register at the Adams County Auditor’s Office at 210 West Broadway Avenue Suite 200 in Ritzville, or online at http://vote.wa.gov.