Levy needed to continue Dayton's pool progress

DAYTON — The Columbia County Pools and Recreation District has been actively raising funds through grants and benefits. Often, the funding the district has been awarded or has submitted applications for requires matching funds.

The pools and recreation district has been awarded grants, including $275,000 from the Washington State Legislature, a $9,360 Innovia Reimbursable Grant, a $5,000 Warren Community Grant, and $7,500 from the Dayton/Columbia County Fund.

The Friends of the Pool have raised over $22,000 from its Pool Benefit Yard Sale and the first Dayton Ducktona Duck Derby.

Grant applications submitted include up to $1.5 million from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). The pool project moved to the second level, resulting in a site visit, and placed third on the applicant list. The district will be notified in April 2027 if it will receive RCO funds. This large grant requires a 50% match. The submitted application can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/4ersksmt.

The district also applied for a Youth and Athletic Facilities Small Grant from RCO for $140,000 with no required match.

To continue its successful fundraising and progress, the Columbia County Pools and Recreation District asks Columbia County voters to pass a replacement levy through Proposition 1 on the November 3, 2026, ballot. If approved, the levy would be applied to 2026 property taxes and collected in 2027. The district intends to use this money for operation and maintenance of a pool project.

“We, as a board, want to express our thanks for the support we have received over the past two years from donations, showing up at the yard sale and duck derby, and for passing two levies. Our grant writer has assured us that a lot of our success in receiving grants is due to great community support,” said Chair Terri Hessler of Columbia County Pools and Recreation District Board of Directors.

Hessler recognized the Friends of the Pool’s support. The nonprofit, led by Chair Fred Crowe, has provided Dayton’s grade school students with swim lessons at Walla Walla YMCA over the past two years. It also funds training for older youth to become certified lifeguards, who will be vital when the pool opens.

The Friends of the Pool meet on the second Monday of the month at 4:30 p.m. in the Delaney Building at the Dayton Public Library. The Friends invite anyone interested to join them in support of the community pool project.

The next fundraiser will be a second Pool Yard Sale on October 23 and 24, at 408 E Clay Street in Dayton. Contact Terri Hessler at (509) 629-1573 to donate usable items for the sale.