Waitsburg Friends of the Pool is looking for volunteers

Waitsburg — The Waitsburg Friends of the Pool, Rural Youth Enrichment Services (RYES) and Waitsburg Park and Recreation members continue to make a community survey’s top priority a reality. The results of the 2022 survey put building a new city pool as the number one priority.

The previous pool was constructed in 1925, a period when small towns built public swimming pools for safe summer recreation and swimming lessons. The Waitsburg pool was a centerpiece of summer life, built to teach residents how to swim in a community surrounded by rivers and irrigation canals.

Water safety for kids was a priority for the late Dr. Roger and Mrs. Hevel, who donated funds to help Waitsburg children receive free swimming lessons.

Since the almost 100-year-old pool was decommissioned, Waitsburg Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Pool have completed work to make the project shovel-ready, including the design, site selection, and budget.

A new survey will be distributed to confirm that a public pool in Waitsburg remains a priority for residents. In addition to listening, volunteers share information about the project to ensure voters have the information they need to pass a maintenance and operations levy. Once a levy is passed, the group will be able to effectively apply for construction grants.

Friends of the Pool is collaborating with the Waitsburg School District to use contributions to give elementary school students swim lessons at the Walla Walla YMCA during the 2026-2027 school year.

In September, the Friends of the Pool will sponsor its annual Laurette McCaw Pie Contest at the Waitsburg Fall Festival. All proceeds from the pie auction go to the pool fund. Bakers can get entry forms for the pie contest at Waitsburg businesses beginning in mid-August or by contacting Karen Huwe at huwe.karen@gmail.com.

Friends of the Pool is looking for volunteers to bring their time and talents to the effort. Anyone interested can reach out to members Karen Huwe, Wendy Carter, Alison Ahler, Jillian Henze, Cheryl Hansen, or Sarah Paul for more information.