CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

MAY 6, 2010

Save the Pierce Pool!

By Leslie Potratz

    Did you know Pierce has had an Olympic-sized indoor pool since 1973?

    Did you know it could not open last year due to lack of support from the communities and organizations located within Clearwater County?

    How can you help? A "Save the Pierce Pool" fund raiser dinner/auction will be held Saturday, May 22 at the VUG on Main Street in Pierce. The spaghetti dinner starts at 12 noon and the auction will start at 2 p.m. 50/50 raffle tickets are already on sale at S&S Foods, Mop Shoppe and at the Pierce Community Center.

    The Pierce Community Center and pool was built in 1973 after the original one burned down. Since the town itself could not fund it, the residents voted to start the Pierce Recreation District, which allowed the pool to become tax based. The district was able to get funding with an Idaho Community Development Block Grant for the building.

    At the time the pool was built, Pierce was a thriving town with plenty of jobs for everyone. Over the years, with the decline of employment, as of 2009 Pierce’s population dropped to 533. The only improvements made to the pool over the years have been new heating boilers, new sliding doors and front patio and some shower room modifications. With costs for heating, electricity, staff, chemicals and general supplies it costs approximately $500 per day to run the pool.

    With the current budget, the district will be lucky to keep the pool open for more than two or three weeks. The pool needs major updates to make it more efficient and attractive, but there is barely enough money to open it each summer.

    As you can imagine, the needs and wants list of the pool are very extensive. In the past three years the pool was only able to open for a six-week period.

    At different times throughout its existence the pool has offered swimming lessons, adult lap swims, open swimming, pool parties, water aerobics, water therapy, lifeguard training, and also boasted a very successful swim team for a number of years.

Pool hours

    The pool plans to be open Monday through Friday for open swim from 1-4 p.m. Evening open swim from 5 to 8 p.m. will be held only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Prices

    Daily admittance for ages 6-12 is $2, and for ages 13 and up is $2.50. A season pass for ages 6-12 is $50, and for ages 13 to adult is $55. Ten open swims for ages 6-12 costs $17.50, and for ages 13 and up is $22.50. Adult (over 18) Lap Swim costs $55. A family pass (up to four people) is $100 and $15 for each addition family member. This applies to immediate family only.

    Private pool parties are $30 for the first hour (with a one hour minimum) and $20 for every hour thereafter. Lifeguards for private parties cost $8.

    Swimming lessons will be offered for pre-beginners and beginners as a two-week session for $35 per person. Pass holders receive a 10 percent discount.

    If enough interest is shown, more classes may be held.

    Pierce Community Center and pool manager, Brandi Crawford, returned to Pierce in October of 2008. She has always had close ties to Pierce, as she has family here and spent part of her childhood here.

    Following in the family footsteps, she too wanted to be active within the community and give back. Brandi is a member of the Pierce Gem Team, volunteered many hours for the Timberline Lion’s Club, and has spearheaded several fund raisers for different organizations. Her goal is to "pad the budget" enough to be keep the community center open through 1860 Days, which are held in early August.

    If you would like to donate time, money or an item to help with this worthwhile cause, contact Brandi at the Center at (208) 464-2443 or e-mail brandiwine71@hotmail.com. She will be more than happy to arrange pick-up of donations or answer questions.

    Mail donations to PCC, PO Box 296, Pierce, ID 83546.

    We are a friendly community up here and would be happy to share our pool with all the residents of Clearwater County.