DAYTON–The Friends of the Community Center/Pool (FCCP) recently met to discuss grant and other funding opportunities for the community center and pool feasibility study. Currently the group has secured $6,500 from grants and donations.

The committee recently applied for a Blue Mountain Community Grant, but was denied due to more applicants than funding available. Currently the group is hoping to receive a $20,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation, based in Pendleton, Ore.

The proposed structure will potentially house a year-round pool with retractable roof and include additional rooms for a Community Center. It is emphasized that this Community Center/Pool will be attempted as long as there is a plan for maintenance. For the introduction of the plan for a community facility, the first step in this process is a feasibility study.

Certain aspects of the design must be determined such as site development, structure design, parking and other requirements.

"There are requirements outside the scope of expertise from committee members, such as: site development, design, height of building, number of parking spots, along with a myriad of other needs," said Vicki Zoller, committee chairperson.

The FCCP is working with Schemata Workshop, which specializes in urban design.

"Schemata Workshop is a Seattle based organization that specializes in urban design, and is the contractor the group is hoping to work with. Schemata Workshop focuses on community buildings," said Zoller.

Another concern is licensing lifeguards since there is no pool in Dayton at this time.

"This is part of the maintenance issue," said Zoller. "Lifeguards will be hired from local Dayton students who will get their lifeguard certification in Walla Walla, which is part of the plan."

Other business discussed pertained to the issue of transporting swimmers with passes (2018 and 2019) to the Prescott Pool 19 miles away instead of a closer facility in Waitsburg. The Prescott pool is larger, open more hours and has a small child wading pool. The pool in Waitsburg has limited swimming hours, a staffing issue (lifeguards) and no small child wading pool.

The committee is planning to decorate a tractor to promote their activities as part of the Christmas Kickoff after Thanksgiving.

The Friends of the Community Center/Pool Friends has organized under the umbrella of Columbia County Community Network (ComNet). ComNet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a channel to obtain grants or other funding to benefit local small groups that do not qualify for nonprofit status. Friends of the Community Center/Pool is studying options to replace the city swimming pool that was taken out of service prior to the summer of 2018.

For information on current actions, you can review their Facebook page under Friends of the Dayton Community Pool.

The FCCP invites all interested people to the join the meetings. Bring ideas and help with fundraising. The next meeting is at the Chief Springs Fire & Irons Brew Pub at 148 East Main in Dayton on January 28 at 5:30 p.m.

To donate send contributions to 702 East Dayton Ave., Dayton, WA 99328. Please make checks payable to Community Network and in the subject line, write funds to Friends of the Community Center/Pool.