Document text
White City pool closes, but patrons hope to reopen it BY DAVID PRESZLER Patrons gathered to say goodbye as the YMCA Cascade Pool in White City closed its doors Friday. But they are hoping their potluck was more of a see you later than a sayonora. The Rogue Valley Family YMCA, which has operated the pool since 1981, shut it down Friday amid concerns about costly repairs that are needed. It will remained closed unless another group steps forward to take it over -- which is exactly what a group of regular users plan to do. "We're forming a nonprofit corporation and we are going to take over management," says Joy Reich, speaking for a group she estimates at 80 people. Reich, a retired White City resident who uses the pool five days a week, says it is too important to the community to remain closed. She plans to file the nonprofit paperwork next week so the group can begin raising money. A local radio station, KZZE, has already raised $2,100 and gotten a $500 gift certificate for paint to be used at the pool, Reich says. "We've got some support and a committee to approach businesses," she says. "We can get a lot of support once we get going." YMCA Executive Director Mike Cronin said the decision to pull out of the Cascade Pool was a difficult one but the repair costs were too high, especially since YMCA is struggling financially. "To get it safe and operating at the right level are beyond what we can afford," he said. The deed to the pool will be returned to the Eagle Point School District next week. The district leased the pool to the YMCA from 1981-1991, deeding it over to the YMCA in 1991 on the condition that it be returned if the YMCA no longer operates it. The school district has no intention of running the pool but would like to see it reopened by another nonprofit organization, according to financial director Mark Sorensen. He said Reich's group looks like a good candidate. "We're going to work with them as best we can," he said. "We really want to keep it open because it's real important to the community." Friday's closure came a day earlier than the YMCA originally announced. Cronin said there was some confusion about the target date but there haven't been many Saturday activities there lately so the early shutdown should have little effect. In fact, the pool has actually been shut down most of this week with water-quality difficulties brought on by a pump breakdown. Cronin said his staff will continue to maintain the pool until they officially turn it over to the school district. Once that happens, Sorensen says the district will take over maintenance and security until the pool's fate is decided. Reich's group plans to hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10 at White City Elementary to elect board members for the organization. Cronin has estimated that the pool needs $100,000 in repairs. Reich says that figure may be difficult to reach but the estimate includes some improvements that aren't absolutely necessary, like paving the parking lot. Her group is hoping to raise enough money to address the basic safety issues, reopen the pool and make improvements as they can from there. Mail Tribune Copyright � interRogue & The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA