By Mary Owen
A recently gained nonprofit status could lead to new revenue avenues for Stayton Family Pool.
“We are totally official now, so we will begin to pursue grants and other funding to enhance the pool,” said Mary Wallace, with Friends of the Stayton Pool.
The group was formed in January to pursue official nonprofit status for the city-owned pool, and on Aug. 10 received its 501c-3 status from the Internal Revenue Service.
“At this point, we have not researched all that might be available to us,” Wallace said of funding opportunities.
Friends of the Stayton Pool also raises public awareness for the pool, initiated a Lifeguard of the Month program, and helps purchase additional equipment. The group’s first accomplishment was to refurbish the signs around the pool.
“They are now much easier to read from a distance,” Wallace said.
Future projects include fundraising for remodeling projects and possibly purchasing a computer program that will track pool usage and memberships, a new lift-chair for people with mobility issues, and possibly add a mural to the east wall of the pool facility.
“Right now we are so new to this whole thing that we are just taking baby steps,” Wallace said.
A contest was held to select the logo for T-shirts being sold to raise funds. The shirts are available at the pool for $12 for youth sizes medium and large and $15 for adult sizes small through 2X.
Pool staff held a swim-a-thon in July, raising $1,900 in future-projects seed money.
“And we have signed up to sponsor the KidZone at SummerFest next year,” Wallace said.
Long-range goals may include adding a family dressing room, she added.
“In the next 10 years, we’d like to remodel or add more office space, a therapy pool, a game or party room where exercise classes could be held or large parties accommodated without refreshments in the pool area,”
Wallace said. “If we are able to access grant monies for these, the projects might be a reality sooner rather than later.”
She said the group hopes to support the pool through economic lean times to ensure program offerings will not be at risk.
“We are not there yet, and hope that this level of support is not needed,” she said. “Hopefully in several years, Friends of the Stayton Pool would be a group that is as well recognized in this community as the Friends of the Library.”
Dues are $10 per year, and anyone may join. Meetings are usually held at noon on the second Thursday of each month in the Stayton Public Library meeting room.
“You don’t have to be an official member to attend these meetings,” Wallace said. “We welcome anyone who is interested in the pool and its programs.”
The group is offering a special membership package for $20, which includes a T-shirt, a savings of $5.
For information, 503-767-3263 or visit www.friendsofthestaytonpool.org.
