Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
$1 million funds new pool liner, splash pad, lighting
The Garfield pool was built in 1962 and is slated for repairs and remodeling.
GARFIELD - The Garfield pool is set for major repairs, renovation, and new features in 2022.
Administrators spent two-and-a-half years to gather a grant and matching funds of $500,000 each.
The push was led by Garfield Parks and Recreation, looking to address problems such as losing as many as 3,000 gallons of water per day from the pool built in 1962.
"We really needed to do some serious thinking about keeping it open," said Cande Hasenoehrl, Parks and Recreation chair. "Almost every other day we have to add water."
With the threat of having to close the pool in the coming years, the board got to work, she said.
In January, Garfield was awarded a federal grant from the Land and Water Conservation Funding Board (LWCF), as part of the Recreation and Conservation Office. It required matching funds.
Hasenoehrl called state Sen. Mark Schoesler, who with Rep. Mary Dye, secured $500,000 from Washington's Department of Commerce as a 2021-23 capital budget item.
Garfield Parks and Recreation rents the pool land from the adjacent Garfield School District. Ownership is required to be eligible for the LWCF grant. The school board gave the land to the pool district in May.
Garfield School District superintendent Zane Wells supported the change.
The $1 million funds a new pool liner, splash pad, ADA compliant and updated locker rooms, restored pool lighting and outdoor lighting, new fencing, seating area, windbreak, and an updated mechanical system.
"We can go back to having midnight swims, which the community loved," said Hasenoehrl.
The existing, non-functioning kiddie pool is being taken out for the splash pad.
The board selected Century West Engineering, of Spokane, to design the project.
As part of the agreement, construction is planned for next fall so the pool remains open during the summer season.
Garfield Parks and Recreation commissioners include Mandi Garrett, Kelly Bates, Alice Rager, and Denise Hasenoehrl.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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