Pool feasibility study lists three sites

POLSON — Is the Mission Valley ready to support a year-round, full-size, indoor swimming pool facility?

The Mission Valley Aquatics organization, which recently completed a comprehensive feasibility report, is hoping that it is.

At the MVA meeting at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Monday night of last week, discussion centered on a feasibility report's findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Three potential sites have been suggested, two of them in Polson and one in Pablo.

Polson is a prime location with a population of 4,041 and a service area population of 16,757 year-round residents — plus the summer tourist volume. On the other hand, Pablo with a 2000 census population of 1,814, is centrally located and has a slightly bigger service area population, 17,452, drawn largely from Polson.

A service area lies within a 20-minute radius of a given point. Because they are so close, Polson, Pablo and Ronan are in each other's service area.

At this point the preferred site appears to be the former Dupuis Lumber Co. millsite, where the Cougar Ridge subdivision is slated for development. This site is about a quarter-mile south of the junction of Highways 93 and 35, on the west side of Highway 93.

The second potential Polson location is the former Polson Plywood Co. millsite between Seventh Ave. E. on the north, Division St. on the south, First St. E. to the west and beyond Seventh St. to the east. The property is owned by Montana Rail Link and is undergoing restoration after the concrete flooring and foundations of the former mill buildings have been excavated. A popular makeshift skateboard facility was located there before having to move for the restoration.

And the third potential site would be in Pablo, probably on Salish Kootenai College land where the college is developing a fitness center south of Joe's Jiffy Stop.

All three locations have advantages and disadvantages, according to the feasibility report that was prepared in 2004 for MVA by former Lake County land planner Dave DeGrandpre.

The Dupuis/Cougar Ridge site has accessibility, visibility and the possibility that land for the pool complex could be donated by the developer Mike Maddy in the second phase of the Cougar Ridge development and could share infrastructure costs. Highway 93 improvements slated to start this year and potential future links to residential areas would improve accessibility.

Drawbacks include timing of the subdivision development, determination of soil suitability, presence of hazardous materials and clear land title. All these would have to be investigated, according to the MVA feasibility report.

An advantage of the old plywood millsite is its proximity to schools and the hospital. Children from Linderman and Cherry Valley elementary schools are within walking distance of the site. Another advantage is that it's already zoned for commercial and industrial uses and probably could be zoned commercial and recreational.

However, its acquisition would depend on donation of a portion of the land or a favorable long term lease from Montana Rail Link. While centrally located in Polson, access from the highway would increase the summer traffic volume in residential neighborhoods and through the downtown area. But it could prove beneficial to downtown businesses.

The Pablo site might offer more tribal participation, would have a larger population area to draw from, and would have good access and visibility. The SKC president has indicated interest in the possibility of tying the aquatic center to the fitness facility. It's possible that there could be additional grants available.

A major drawback would be transportation from Polson.

As attempts of past years have revealed, establishing a year 'round facility in a market area of this size is difficult.

Some things remain the same, but others are changing. For instance, the swimming season in Flathead Lake is still only about three months during the summer when the lake temperature can go up to about 77 degrees F. And there's the minor but pesky problem of "swimmer's itch" when water currents are slow. And the City of Polson has been unable to fund lifeguard service in Riverside and Boettcher parks. Red Cross swimming instruction is given for a few weeks during the summer.

Among the changes, however, is the growth of the area. The feasibility plan estimates that an indoor swimming pool has a potential for 44,000 annual visitors and $125,000 or more in annual revenue.

Spokesperson Tana Seeley of Polson said, "MVA's goal is to provide a facility, programs and features that are not available elsewhere. These would include a warm water pool, children's play features, and a safe, attractive environment."

Options might include a 25-yard long pool with depths ranging from four to nine-feet-plus; offer family swimming; aqua aerobics, swimming lessons, lap swimming, canoe and/or kayak training, pool rentals, SCUBA diving training, youth and high school competition (requiring at least six lanes);

An increase in use could occur with additional equipment, day care, and physical therapy service.

To do this would require strong community support. Possible financing sources could include a combination of charitable contributions, in-kind services, federal, state, non-profit organizational, foundation and private grants, loans, concession sales, leases, taxpayer support, park district, direct appropriations, and tax increment financing.

"MVA hopes that it would be able to put together a strong, credible project that the community would support," according to Seeley.

Regardless of where the facility is built, the feasibility report states, it would require a "strong partnership" of government officials, business leaders, health care professions, school districts, youth and organizations.

The report's conclusions and recommendations include these steps:

? Decide on the site and realistic facility type and features.

? Visiting other facilities to see what works or doesn't work.

? Hire an architect to develop preliminary sketches.

? Seek commitments from community leaders and benefactors to provide initial fiscal support and credibility.

? Launch a fund drive and informational campaign.

? Form a park district or similar support program by local governments.

? Present the voters a package and details.

? If voters OK a bond issue, hire a construction oversight contractor.

? Hire a business manager.

? Develop policies and protocols before the facility opens.

? Keep the popular programs, be creative in developing others.

Mission Valley Aquatics meets the fourth Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson. Meetings are open to the public and ideas and suggestions are welcome.