The committee has formed, the plans are drawn, now it's time to come together and raise funds to build the dream; a new Haxtun swimming pool. Committee members on the Haxtun Pool Project have a renewed energy and a goal of raising $1,000,000 locally for a new swimming pool. So far, the group has a total of $185,000 pledged towards the project.

The conditions of the existing pool now are to the point of no repair and the threat of closing what we do have is a real possibility. While this year closed in part due to COVID restrictions, the pool also has a number of issues that would prevent it from functioning at capacity including the poor conditions of the building and the filtration and heating systems.

According to Town Superintendent Ron Carpenter, the existing sand filter is currently broke. The Town has ordered parts that hopefully will fix it, but the system is very outdated. He added that the boiler shows constant signs of trouble when the pool is operating and has difficulty maintaining a decent temperature.

Over the past several months, committee members, including Haxtun Mayor Brandon Biesemeier, have been gathering to finalize details of drawings for a new pool with Miller and Associates, a consulting engineering company. Miller and Associates are familiar with the construction of pool projects and recently did so with the City of Grant in Nebraska.

During a Haxtun Town Council meeting in September, Miller and Associates representative Larry Steele met with council members to present a final drawing of a pool that would include zero entry, four swim lanes, a drop slide, a one-meter diving board and a zero entry splash pad with water features.

The new pool would include a ADA compliant bathhouse as well as site improvements. Hopes are to build the new pool just west of where the existing pool sits now, where the tennis and basketball courts are. Hopes are to relocate the basketball court to another location once construction of the pool begins.

Total estimated figures for a new pool, per Steele's knowledge and research, is $2.6 million.

Recently, Haxtun Swimming Pool committee members sent local residents a letter in the mail outlining details of the project as well as seeking donations, which can be made through cash/check, services, grain or through a trust or estate plan.

All donors to the project will be recognized at the new swimming pool, either by plaque or brick, depending on the size of the donation. All donations of $1,000 or more will receive a brick at new pool house and other gifts and in-kind services will be recognized with a plaque on a donation wall.

The committee also plans to host a number of fundraising events in the future, the first next month with hosting an ugly sweater painting party. That event has filled its capacity but others are in the works.

To stay up-to-date with fundraising efforts and events, visit the Haxtun Swimming Pool Project on Facebook and continue to watch the Herald for news and updates.

For more information on the swimming pool project call the Haxtun Town Hall at (970) 774-6104.