Northwest pool site rests with Park Board

A decision on where to build a new swimming pool in Northwest Spokane will ultimately be made by the Park Board, city officials have said.

At a meeting last week, residents of Northwest Spokane argued in favor of putting the new pool in Shadle Park near an existing branch library and water tower.

Roger Crum, who has been heading up the pool planning work for the city Parks Department, said a citizen advisory committee on pools will review the location and make its recommendation, but the final decision will rest with the Park Board.

The new pool is part of a $42.9 million bond issue approved by voters last fall for swimming facilities, “splash pad” play areas, a sports complex at Albi Stadium and new ball fields.

The proposed Northwest pool would be built to replace the former Shadle Park pools that were closed in recent years.

Three locations have been under consideration for the new pool, including Albi, Shadle and Loma Vista parks.

Residents living near Loma Vista want to maintain the quiet character of that park, and they expressed concern that traffic would be a problem. The Albi site has a number of limitations, city officials said.

The Shadle site would have to fit between existing facilities at the park.