EVANSTON — An aging swimming pool in Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Center brought recreation director Kim Larson to the Jan. 22 meeting of the Uinta County Economic Development Commission (UCEDC). Larson’s request to the commission was for their support and partnership in asking for a Temporary Specific Purpose Tax initiative in order to build a new aquatic center.
“In the fall of 2023, we had a feasibility study done by Burbach Aquatics and Albertson Engineering as to whether we should refurbish the old pool or build a new one,” Larson said. “The existing pool was built in the early 1980s and was designed with a lifespan of 20 years. We have put $25,000 into repairs trying to keep it operational, but we have had frequent breakdowns and closures. It is at the end of its useful life. The pool gets constant use and our community has outgrown it. We need to look at replacing it.”
She showed slides of overflowing water on one side of the pool’s edge, due to the facility settling, that they have to remove every four to six hours for safety reasons; pictures of the storage area under the pool and the corrosion on the pipes due to chemicals and other products all being stored together in one small room; and the poor HVAC system, which creates air problems inside the pool area.
Larson said the health inspector visits the pool often. She added that ADA (American Disability Act) requirements are not met at the current pool. Also, the current pool cannot be used for competitive events due to its shape.
Larson used a slide presentation of a new aquatic center designed by Burbach Aquatics and Albertson Engineering. Location for the new aquatics center would be the land above and east of the recreation center. On the main floor of the two-level aquatic center (43,000 square feet) would be two separate pools — one specifically for competitive swimming (4,500 sq. ft.) and the other for general recreation swimming (4,955 sq. ft.). The pools would be separated so competitive events and recreation swimming could take place at the same time.
The new facility would be ADA compliant throughout the building. There would be restrooms on both floors; two family changing rooms; men’s and women’s locker rooms; coach and lifeguard rooms; a spa; storage rooms; a lazy pool for exercise and a children’s heated pool.
The upper floor of the building would have large windows and an observation deck so viewers could watch the swimmers. There would be a concessions area with tables and chairs and a large room for meetings or parties.
“The estimated cost for the new aquatic center is $19.1 million,” Larson said. “We plan to do fundraising and will attempt to get multiple donors or one big donor. We have already formed a nonprofit in order to do the fund raising, the Evanston Recreation Foundation. We can write grants for ADA equipment and for free lessons and safety programs but none are available to build the pool. Burbach Aquatics also helps communities with fundraising efforts and to garner support. They provide guidance and advice.”
Larson said there would be multiple uses for the old pool area. It would be filled in and could be used for a multi-purpose room, gymnastics area or a half-court basketball space. She said there are lots of possibilities for using the area and that renovation would be an extra cost. One estimate for the conversion of the old pool was at $1.83 million.
There was much discussion from commission members on how to get taxpayers to support a temporary specific purpose tax. Director Gary Welling said it might be important to do a survey to see how many people come from the Valley to use the recreation center and pool.
Commission member Eric Wyatt from Lyman said, “People in the Valley want their own recreation center.”
A comment was made that it would help to sell the idea of a temporary special purpose tax to the voters if Larson could get hard numbers as to what a family with a certain income might be paying extra annually due to the special tax.
Larson said they planned a two-year window for construction of the facility but getting the temporary tax would make it take longer. They would like to see a special election held for the temporary specific purpose tax this year.
She said she is scheduled to talk to county commissioners and city councils in the county and ask for their support and help, as well.
Commission chair Dan Wheeler and commission members thanked Larson for coming and wished her luck on the project.
