Waitsburg Parks and Rec survey

WAITSBURG — The Waitsburg Parks and Recreation board completed a second survey asking the community to provide input on the direction of the district. The survey showed respondents continue to want the Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District and Friends of the Waitsburg Pool to keep working to make a community pool a reality.

The survey results collected in September 2023 showed clear top priorities. Respondents were asked to rank a collection of priorities that ranged from building and improving infrastructure to creating activities and hosting music events.

60% of respondents said building a new pool was the top priority - up more than 20 points since the spring 2022 survey.

38% of respondents place Waitsburg fairgrounds use, including events, as the second priority.

18% said they would like the district to develop after-school activities and programs as the third priority.

“Our community has told us it wanted the pool to be replaced since the day it closed,” said Wendy Carter, Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District commissioner and co-chair of Friends of the Waitsburg Pool. “It’s important that children learn how to swim, and it’s important that everyone has local access to water exercise. With this feedback, we will continue working to bring a pool back and maintain it for future generations to enjoy.”

The city pool has been closed to the public since 2020 due to extensive structural issues, according to the city website.

Because studies show the old pool cannot be repaired, the first step of the estimated 5-year project is to hire an engineer to complete a feasibility study on pool locations. It is critical that these studies are completed so the next pool will last another 100 years.

“We have raised about $40,000 in the past year for a new pool and applied for three different grants - we are close to getting this project off the ground,” Carter said. “Volunteers are continuing to identify opportunities to make this community vision a reality while also accomplishing smaller Parks and Rec projects in the meantime, including focusing on the fairgrounds, enhancing Preston Park, and building a new dog park.”

The Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District commissioners meet at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at Ten Ton Coffee. All are invited to attend to provide public comment, share ideas, or volunteer.

Those wanting to donate to the pool project can do so on the Rural Youth Enrichment Services website at http://www.ruralyes.org. Donation checks can be written to Friends of the Pool and mailed to Rural Youth Enrichment Services, PO Box 371, Waitsburg, WA 99361. Questions, comments, or volunteers can go to info@waitsburgparks.org.