Mission Valley Aquatics celebrates 10th anniversary

An anniversary party is approaching, celebrating 10 years since the first toes were dipped into the Mission Valley Aquatic and Fitness pools.

To celebrate, MVAF is planning an ice-cream social, free swim and games on the lawn beginning at 10 a.m. June 10. “Bring 10 of your friends,” suggest board member Jim Oates and executive director Toni Altenbburg.

DeeAnn and Brett Richardson are creating commemorative pottery bowls that will be sold for $25 as a fundraiser.

At the same time, MVAF has launched a new fundraising effort: the 10 for 10 Generational Sustainability Campaign. The objective is to keep the facility open for the next 10 years and find 10 donors who could donate $10,000 each to raise $1,000,000. That pot of money would provide a maintenance and operations reserve fund, a facility improvement/expansion fund, and a permanent endowment fund. Letters sent to members will provide more information.

Of course, any donations to ensure the future of the facility are welcome.

According to Oates, an accountant by trade, investment opportunities include giving a lump sum, pledges, or donations of appreciated property for tax savings.

The first donor plans to donate property with a large capital gain for $100,000, saving $30,000 in income taxes and possibly estate taxes later, he said. Directed gifts can also be made through the Great Polson Community Foundation.

One of Montana’s finest aquatic facilities, MVAF has provided countless recreational and fitness opportunities for community members during its first decade, from children’s swim lessons to Silver Sneakers programs to dryland fitness classes and aquatic aerobics.

One of the many community programs at MVAF is the eight-lesson swimming safety course for Polson second graders. Big yellow school buses trundled 120 kids back and forth to the aquatic center, and each child received eight swim lessons and water safety instruction.

“The last day was safety day,” Altenburg said. Instructors talked about how life jackets should fit, and why life jackets matter. Instructors explained that kids might need to help save someone, and some of the children took that very seriously.

With a smile and a hint of tears, Altenburg added, “It’s probably one of the highlights of my year here.”

She expressed her appreciation to the Greater Polson Community Foundation, which stepped in to fund the program.

According to its website, the facility boasts:

Almost 900 individual enrollments in the thriving eight-week warm water Aqua Therapy class, demonstrating that Polson’s senior citizens are one of its largest and most consistent user groups.

Over 1,500 enrollments in the facility’s four-week youth swim lessons, proving that seniors are not the only group to benefit from the new pool.

Thanks in part to an ongoing grant from the Greater Polson Community Foundation, more than 250 Boys and Girls Club students attended swim lessons two days a week throughout the school year at no cost to the parents or the club.

Home schoolers and regional private schools attend for lessons on a regular basis during the school day.

MVAF is also home to the Lake Monsters Swim Team and the Polson High swim team.

The facility operates on money from a mill levy, user fees and donations.

Go to mvaquaticsfitness.com or call 406-883-4567 to find information on pricing, classes, and programs.