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By Teresa Simpson
Whitman County Gazette 

Colfax Pool receives $1.38 million from Capital Budget

 

Teresa Simpson

The Colfax Municipal Pool

COLFAX - The new capital budget includes $1.38 million for the Colfax Pool upgrade.

Colfax Mayor Jim Retzer thanked the district representatives who advocated for the city's pool upgrades.

As Senator leader on the capital budget, Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, stated that he appreciated the feedback from various Colfax citizens who let him know what projects needed funding in the capital budget.

"Thanks to discussions with people throughout our district, as well as collaboration with my seatmates, Representatives Schmick and Dye, many needs in the 9th are addressed in this budget," he said.

Retzer said he could not thank representatives Mary Dye, Joe Schmick, and Schoesler enough.

"A lot of thank yous to them for that and getting the money available here for Colfax in July," he said.

Retzer added that Mary Dye was also excited to work with Colfax to ensure the project goes through and the upgrades get started.

Retzer noted that they have been working on getting the project off the ground for the last three and a half years, and they're excited to get it going.

It was during the Colfax 150 that they were able to give the representatives a tour of the pool to show them the community needed it.

"I'm proud of that for the community," he said.

"I'm not sure when the last time it was they got the money from the legislature," he said, adding that it's incredible that it's something for the community to use.

Retzer explained that the pool had not had any renovations itself other than just paint and structural.

"It has some leaks, piping issues," he said, noting that it has been losing 32,000 gallons of water daily.

"That's a lot of water," Retzer said, adding that they've needed to look at doing some renovation projects to fix those leaks.

Retzer also explained that they wanted to work on the locker rooms, including a coat of paint, the shower heads, and fixing the lighting fixtures and bulbs.

The city wants to bring the pool up to date, Retzer said.

"It's from the 1950s, and I don't think they've ever done anything there," he added.

Retzer explained that the project's primary focus is replacing the pool liner.

He further expressed his excitement to fix up the pool as the project moves forward, which he states is a large and unique part of the community and the county.

"We want to put a splash pad in," he said, noting that's part of the plan to make the pool more inclusive for the community.

The splash pad is an option for smaller kids and the family to go and enjoy; Retzer also shared that they plan to add slides and some boards to the larger pool area.

Retzer expressed that he and the staff are thrilled to move forward with the project, and their next step is to work on the timelines.

He explained that the pool would still be in use this summer, and hopefully, they will not have to close it for any of the summer times.

 

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