Plight of the pool: Without a bond levy the Silverton Pool will close

By Kristine Thomas

Renee Potloff doesn’t mind driving from Kaiser to Silverton to take her child to the Silverton Pool.

“I know it’s a nice, clean pool and the pools we used to go to are closed in Salem,” she said. “I think it’s important for kids to have something to do in the summer.”

Brittany Klein travels from Aumsville to take her 10- and 6-year-old children swimming while she stays in the shade with her 5-month-old child.  “I used to come here as a kid and now I bring my kids,” she said. “It’s the best pool around.”

Kellie Kuenzi, who home schools her five children, uses the pool in both the summer and winter months.

“Swimming is a sport any kid can do,” she said. All three women were surprised to learn the pool will close June 30, 2013 if Silverton voters do not approve a bond levy on the Nov. 6 ballot.

A July 16th Silverton City Council report says, “$221,900 is budgeted this year for the operation of the pool. This is not enough to pay for all the operation, maintenance and deferred maintenance costs of the pool. Starting July 1, 2013, the General Fund will no longer be able to support the operation or maintenance costs of the pool.”

The Silverton City Council agreed to place a five-year operations and maintenance swimming pool levy on the Nov. 6 ballot. The levy will fund operating costs for five years, plus a new cover, a covered walkway between the pool and pool house and recommended repairs.

According to the city report, “the annual levy would be $275,000 for five years. This levy would result in an estimated annual collection of 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. A home with an assessed value of $200,000 per year would pay approximately $90 per year.”

Both Klein and Kuenzi said that it would be horrible if the pool closed due to a funding shortfall.

“The pool is a part of Silverton,” Klein said. “If there wasn’t the Silverton pool, Silverton wouldn’t be the same.”

Silverton City Councilor Kyle Palmer said the pool is a source of economic development by “drawing in residents from outside Silverton, allowing residents of our city to stay here rather than travel to another community for their aquatics, and bringing in visitors for swimming competitions.”

Palmer added the pool provides multiple programs to a broad spectrum of ages and uses. Local teens are employed as lifeguards while younger children take swimming lessons. Senior citizens take water aerobic classes and families gather for recreation and fun.

“The pool contributes to our economy. This is not a summer versus year-round issue. Currently, the City of Silverton has no funds to operate the pool for even one day beyond June 30, 2013,” Palmer said. “With the current state of our city budget, I do not expect that to change in the immediate future.”

Edward Brown, 70, takes an aqua exercise class at the pool five days a week, one hour a day.

“For people getting to be my age, water exercise is more gentle and more comfortable for us to do,” Brown said. “It’s been a pleasure to take the class because it keeps me moving.”

He was one of the many volunteers of the Friends of the Silverton Community Pool committee who volunteered at a booth at Homer Davenport Days to share information.

“If the pool closes, where are people my age to young children going to go to swim?” he asked. “The pool is good for everybody. Since 1930, people have made an investment in the pool because it’s an invaluable investment in our community’s health. That is something people shouldn’t give up.”

Jan Wingenbach is also a volunteer for the Friends of the Silverton Community Pool committee. Wingenbach said the pool levy approved by voters in 2003 expires this year. The current tax rate for the 2003 pool bonds is 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. If voters approve the new levy, they would pay an additional $32.18 a year, she said.

Silverton High School juniors Annie Spink and Rachel Joya are members of the Silverton High School swim team.

Sitting next to her mom, Jan Wingenbach, Spink said swim team has helped her to meet many new friends.

“Being on swim team keeps me from procrastinating,” Spink said. “I know I have to get my homework done. Being on the swim team has taught me perseverance.”

As a member of City Council and the Silver Falls Family YMCA Leadership Council, Palmer said he is in a unique position to see this issue from both sides.

“I’ve had some experience with this type of process and I was impressed by the passion that our community has demonstrated in the face of an impending pool closure – I consider my role in this process to be one of guidance and leadership,” Palmer said.  “Above all, I believe that asking the voters to have their say on this issue is an important part of understanding what role the pool should have in the future. What does the pool mean to you?”

For Bette and David Stewart, the answer is simple.

“The pool touches many lives in this community and the community as a whole,” Bette Stewart said.

The pool is a lifeline to good health, she said, adding swimming helps with her arthritis and asthma.

“When David and I were looking at moving to Silverton to be close to our family, he wanted a town with an Ace Hardware and I wanted a Dairy Queen,” she said. “We both wanted a library and a year-round swimming pool.”

Bette Stewart said Silverton City Manager Bob Willoughby told the Friends of the Silverton Pool committee members “point blank” that there is no money left in the city budget to continue to fund the pool after June 30, 2013.

“This pool means so much to people of all ages,” she said. “That’s why we are volunteering to support it.”