DAYTON—The Friends of the Pool (FotP) and the Focus Advisory Group seek volunteers to serve on the proposed Columbia County Metropolitan Park District. The proposed district would be a new, unfunded taxing district to support the construction, maintenance, and operation of a new aquatic facility and other recreational facilities in Dayton and Columbia County.

Five volunteers from the community are needed to make up the Park District Board of Commissioners. The Board will initially guide the management of the new district, complete contracts for the current community assessment, survey and design drawings, fiscal management, and other duties. Individuals who have a passion for aquatic and recreation facilities and bettering the lives of residents are encouraged to contact Deb Hays at the City of Dayton office, 111 South First Street, in Dayton, phone number (509) 382-2361. Interested volunteers may also contact Virginia Schmidt, Columbia County Commissioners Clerk of the Board, 311 East Main Street, Dayton, phone number (509) 382-4542. Prospective applicants are required to complete the Application for Board and Commission Appointments, available upon request.

The formation of a Metropolitan Park District has been explored and determined to be the best fit for our rural community. The designation of a geographic area (Columbia County) allows for the creation of a taxing district to collect resources to meet the goals of a new aquatic facility and other recreational facilities. However, the County proration order (a $5.90 aggregate limit after making levy limit calculations) does not permit the collection of an annual levy currently. The goal of the Park District designation is to collect an annual levy based on a range of up to .75/1000 value of a $100,000 home. An annual levy could generate $75/year on a home valued at $100,000.

Dayton’s City Pool closed in April 2018 due to severe maintenance needs and associated liability issues. FotP was organized and led by local volunteers who worked diligently to study options, fundraise, seek grants and coordinate with the City of Dayton. The goal is to reopen and improve the Dayton City Pool. In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed attempts to secure funding. However, two separate awards were recently made to FotP to facilitate a Community Assessment and Survey, and to prepare design drawings for a new aquatic facility.