Friends of the Pool to Begin Fundraising

DAYTON—Vicki Zoller from the newly formed Friends of the Dayton Community Pool Committee was present at last week’s city council meeting to talk about efforts the committee is making to help raise funds for repairs at the Dayton City Pool. The city recently decided to close the pool because it has significant infrastructure problems.

Zoller said the committee is working with the Columbia County Community Network to set up a 501c3 organization under their umbrella.

“This will insure that all monies are used in proper accordance, and help to provide the transparency of donations, and expenditures,” said Zoller.

She said the committee is already writing grants to help with funds and transportation for youth in the summer recreation program, so they may travel to Prescott and Walla Walla pools this summer.

“We’re looking for a long-term great solution for the community,” Zoller added.

The committee will be asking for help from the city and from citizens through fundraisers, as well as grants.

“We’re not looking into a levy at this time, but that is not off the table,” she told the council.

Anything that is done will need to include ongoing maintenance of the pool, she said. “We can’t rebuild it and dump it on the city to maintain it, because the money just won’t be there,” she said.

Zoller said the Friends of the Dayton Community Pool plan on being the hub through which fundraising will take place.

“We have officers for our group and a fairly decent committee, but more members are welcome,” said Zoller.

The next committee meeting is on Tuesday, May 29 at 5:30 p. m. in the county’s public health office on Main Street, she said.

City Administrator Trina Cole said there is a projected timeline for getting a consultant on board to look into the issues with the pool.

Cole said the Request for Proposals were to be issued on May 15, with the deadline for RFP response on May 31. Preliminary selection of consultants, and contact with them, will be on June 7, and interviews will take place on June 12. Selection will be made no later than June 18, and a professional services agreement will be negotiated no later than June 26, said Cole.

She said the professional services agreement will be executed by the City council at their meeting, on July 11.

A preliminary facility condition assessment will be presented to the Mayor, the Parks and Public Grounds Committees, and city staff on Oct. 16, and the final facility condition assessment will be presented to the City Council on Nov. 14, said Cole.