County, Ymca Won’t Pool Efforts Pool At Valley Mission Park Will Be Rebuilt After Deal Sinks

A plan to use taxpayers’ money to build a YMCA swimming pool is dead.

Spokane County commissioners decided Tuesday to offer $700,000 to build a third pool at an indoor aquatic center the YMCA plans to build in the Valley. YMCA officials rejected that offer Wednesday.

The failed deal means the county will spend about $1.1 million replacing its crumbling outdoor pool at Valley Mission Park. Under the partnership, that pool would have been closed but not replaced.

“It’s disappointing that they’re coming back at a lesser level” than $1.1 million, said Rich Wallis, YMCA executive director.

Wallis said his organization can’t accommodate its members - plus the swimmers who now use the county pool - with just two pools.

Commissioners disagreed on how much to offer the YMCA.

Commissioner John Roskelley wanted to rebuild the county pool so low-cost swimming would continue.

A day of swimming at the YMCA costs non-members $3 for children and $7 for adults. Parents must pay the fee even if they don’t swim but want to watch their children. Ninety-minute sessions at county pools cost $1 regardless of age.

Commissioner Kate McCaslin said she would spend no more than $700,000 on the private-public partnership. She proposed using the remaining $400,000 for improvements at county parks.

Commissioner Phil Harris wanted to provide the entire $1.1 million to the YMCA, calling it a good deal for taxpayers. The county would pay nothing to operate the pool, which would be open year-around rather than three months a year at Valley Mission Park, he noted.

Harris agreed to McCaslin’s unsuccessful compromise.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map: Proposed Mirabeau Point project