Tribune file/Debra Reid - Diver Johnny Marroquin, 12, said the Sun Valley pool is his favorite place to swim and he would have been mad if it didn't open this summer.
“Sun Valley pool is in the community’s heart,” said Darrin Price, general manager for the Sun Valley General Improvement District. “They (Sun Valley residents) rallied to keep the pool open.”
Last year, residents were informed by Washoe County officials that the pool might close this summer because of budget cuts. Angry community leaders said the popular facility is too important as a youth recreation center and pushed officials for a solution.
A district survey of about 6,000 Sun Valley residents, conducted in March 2009, revealed a majority were willing to pay a little extra for the pool and other recreation services, Price said. Of the 6,000 Sun Valley residents surveyed, about 2,000 responded with 70 percent in favor of an assessment fee for the pool, Price said.
Now, general improvement district (GID) customers will be charged a monthly recreation fee of $3.02, or about $36 per year, for pool and parks maintenance. Exemptions and discounts are offered to seniors, the disabled and low-income residents who can’t afford the fee.
In comparison, Incline Village residents pay their GID about $800 per year but that covers two pools, golf and ski facilities, Price explained.
A Friday afternoon ceremony celebrated the pool’s revival and management transfer from Washoe County to the Sun Valley GID. A nonprofit government agency governed by elected Sun Valley residents, the GID also oversees Sun Valley’s drinking water, sewer and garbage services, Price said. Now, it will take over the pool, parks and other community facilities including the family resource, teen and senior centers located near the pool.
Price said his agency also partnered with the county to land a $227,000 state community development block grant for needed pool upgrades. Old pumps, pipes and boilers, originally installed in 1982, have been replaced and solar panels have been installed on the roof.
On Friday morning, Price and his staff were scrambling to make sure the pool was ready for Friday afternoon’s opening ceremony and Saturday’s 10 a.m. free swim day. County health and safety inspections had to be completed first.
Price said the county’s average seasonal cost to run the pool was about $125,000 per season. Costs included lifeguards and maintenance staff, chemicals and replacement parts.
“This season will be the test to see how much it actually costs to run the pool,” Price explained. “There’s no plan at this time to raise the (recreation) fee.”
The pool is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $3.50 for children and $4.50 for adults. Morning swim lessons are available for $40. The pool is located at the corner of West Sixth Street and Sun Valley Boulevard. For more information, call 673-0754.
Free swim days at the pool are scheduled for July 3 and 4 courtesy of Hobie’s Casino, Lifestyle Homes Foundation, Western Nevada Supply and other local individuals and businesses, Price said.
Unlike the Sun Valley pool, the Bower’s Mansion pool in Washoe Valley will remain closed this summer due to budget cuts, county parks official Bob Harmon said on Friday.
Sun Valley community leader Susan Severt was all smiles at Friday’s pool ceremony. Severt is running for the GID Board of Trustees.
“It gets so crowded (in the pool), you can step on the little bobbing heads and not get wet,” Seivert said. “I think it’s great. The community now has complete control — sort of like cutting out the middle man.”
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