The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG — Waitsburg Parks and Recreation District Commissioners met at Ten Ton Coffee on January 4 for its first regular meeting of the new year. The newly installed commissioners Curtis Lysher and Holly Lachowicz took their oaths of office. Commissioners Bart Baxter, Wendy Carter, and Beth Daves were all in attendance.

Waitsburg City Council member Jillian Henze told the commissioners that $5,000 for the development of a dog park was included in the approved 2024 city budget. The exact location and design of the dog park are yet to be determined.

Lysher reported that a previous contact for pickleball netting did not pan out. He and Baxter will meet to work on the issue and get the material as soon as possible.

Parks and Rec and Friends of the Pool have raised sufficient funds to begin the city pool feasibility study with PBS Engineering. The commissioners discussed the next steps. The study will determine whether a new pool can be built at the site of the last municipal pool or whether a new location would be required at a potentially significantly higher cost. At its December 20 meeting, the Waitsburg City Council approved access to the closed pool for PBS and Parks and Rec to conduct the feasibility study.

Carter reported that the district received $4,725 from the Valley Giving Guide, which ended December 31. Sixteen donors are reflected in that amount, with an average donation of $295. Additional contributions generated by the guide could still come in.

The commissioners discussed ideas for spring and summer fundraising events to support district projects. Potential events include participating in the city’s annual Community Yard Sale with items donated to Parks and Rec before the June event.

Last year, organizers of the Tour of Walla Walla bicycle race permanently canceled the event after 24 years. The race was held over a June weekend and included routes through Waitsburg and the surrounding area. With the loss of the tour, the commissioners considered sponsoring a new event similar to the Inland Empire Century Bike Ride organized by the Kiwanis of Tri-Cities Industry. Waitsburg Parks and Rec would sponsor the new ride with partial funding from rider entry fees.

The Friends of the Pool are still raising funds for the project. Donations can be made by check to “Friends of the Pool/R.Y.E.S.” and mailed to Rural Youth Enrichment Services, P.O. Box 371, Waitsburg, WA 99361.

Go to the Waitsburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page for more information and project updates. Send questions, comments, or offers to volunteer to info@waitsburgparks.org.