Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Amid funding dispute with school district
PULLMAN — The future of the Pullman Aquatic Center is in question as local governments work to resolve funding issues.
The indoor pool, located on Military Hill next to Pullman High School, is owned by the Pullman School District and managed by the City of Pullman.
The district pays the city approximately $100,000 annually for using the facility, which includes high school swim team practices and meets.
The city and the district share the costs of repairing the pool.
The Pullman School District currently faces a significant budget shortfall.
Superintendent Dr. Bob Maxwell reported a revenue decline of around $1 million in May due to decreased enrollment, with 78 fewer students than projected for the last academic year.
Additionally, the district’s insurance and utility expenses have risen by about $1 million. Dr. Maxwell indicated that these financial constraints are prompting the district to renegotiate its agreement with the city to reduce expenses.
While the Pullman School Board has yet to address the pool’s future publicly, Dr. Maxwell noted that the trustees favor revisiting the deal.
Pullman City Administrator Mike Urban stated that discussions on the aquatic center’s funding and management are imminent.
The current arrangement is part of a broader interlocal agreement covering other district facilities utilized by the city’s parks and recreation department.
Dr. Maxwell has informed city officials of the district’s intent to terminate the interlocal agreement in one year to facilitate new negotiations specifically for the pool.
The Pullman Aquatic Center, which opened in 2000, was funded by a $2 million donation from local philanthropists Ed and Mary Schweitzer.
In 2012, Ed and Beatriz Schweitzer contributed over $300,000 for pool upgrades. The facility includes a swimming pool and a fitness center.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
Reader Comments(0)