Three locations considered for former Shadle pool

A new outdoor swimming pool to replace the former Shadle Park pools could be placed at any of three parks in northwest Spokane with Loma Vista Park gaining an edge from residents who showed up at a pool planning meeting this week.

Loma Vista – on Alberta Street between Francis and Rowan avenues – is centrally located, has easy street access and is closer to the city’s northernmost neighborhoods of Indian Trail, Woodridge, Pacific Park and Five Mile, said proponents of the location.

City officials said Albi Stadium and the west side of Shadle Park are two other possibilities.

Monday’s meeting at Browne Elementary School was the first in a series of planning meetings being held across Spokane for replacing the city’s five existing outdoor pools and replacing the Shadle pools. The work is being financed by a $42.9 million park bond issue approved by voters last fall.

Resident Bob Turner said that Albi is farther from the bulk of northwest Spokane homes than the other locations.

But Karen Bell, a neighborhood activist, said Albi would not require the conversion of existing park to a developed pool with parking. Thus, no trees or grass would be lost in the tradeoff, she said.

An expanded sports complex is also planned at Albi as part of the bond issue, and a pool could be located adjacent to it.

Proponents of Loma Vista had their own argument. “It’s a park right now that has very little going on,” said one woman at the meeting Monday evening. “It’s my first choice.”

Loma Vista, which is under a long-term lease from Spokane Public Schools, has a soccer field that would be relocated to the north side of the park. An existing play area would be preserved. The pool with parking for about 50 vehicles would be placed on the south side.

Consultants said they reviewed eight locations at six city properties, including Pacific Park, Indian Trail Park and Audubon Park.

Pacific and Indian Trail parks were ruled out because they are too small. Also, Pacific Park could be used as a location for a new “splash pad” water play area, an idea that one resident called a “no brainer.”

Audubon Park was found unsuitable because it would require removal of too many large pine trees that create a unique character for that park. Also, access streets are narrow there, the consultants said.

Locating a pool near Shadle Park’s water reservoir along Belt Street drew support from some residents because of its proximity to Shadle Park High School, a branch library and adjacent shopping center.

However, consultants said that they consider the park site already crowded by other uses. A new Shadle pool would require discussions with school officials to ensure it would not encroach on field needs for the high school.

In addition to considering a new pool location, residents were also asked to give preferences for features to be included in a new pool such as lap lanes, therapy area, water slide, spray features, shade canopies, changing rooms or a wide shorelike sloped entry that would be suitable for parents with small children.