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Mayor's view on city pool fees |
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July 27, 2015 |
July 27, 2015
To the Editor:
Recently there has been a stir considering last
year's implementation of a small fee structure
at the city pool. It was with great
consternation that the city council placed a fee
on pool use last year. Prior to this, swimming
in the city pool has been free for over 80
years.
A few years ago, the Spokesman Review ran an
in-depth article concerning small towns and
swimming pools. The essence of the study was
that towns without pools, or forced to close
pools for economic reasons, had higher rates of
delinquency and vandalism. Swimming pools are
community treasures with advantages beyond
recreation and learning to swim.
Bonners Ferry's swimming pool has way passed its
useful life. It was built in the 1930's as a
Federal public works project. It is literally
falling apart. Add yearly repairs to growing
regulatory demands, to rising costs of
everything, and imposing a fee structure because
the only viable option is closing the facility
permanently.
In fiscal year 2014, the first year of fees, the
city of Bonners Ferry spent $61,159.83 for
operation of the pool. Revenue, which includes
private rentals, was $13,786.10. Even with fees,
the citizens of the city subsidized the pool to
the tune of $48,000.00.
The city of Bonners Ferry is only 20% of the
county's population and tax base. Yet, we have
managed to provide free swimming to everyone for
eight decades. A couple of people out there are
alive today, and don't even know it, becase they
learned to swim at the pool.
No one in the city government wants to see
anyone denied access due to unaffordability. We
are open to suggestions, and working with other
agencies for donations. Pur goal is to keep the
pool open to all and doing what it takes to make
that happen.
David Anderson
Mayor
Bonners Ferry, Idaho |
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