LOWDEN
AQUATIC PARK PROJECT
Lowden Park Pool is over 44 years old and struggles to meet current
health and safety codes. The pool was closed in 2004 due to infrastructure
and funding difficulties. Since that time, LAPP has managed to work
with our cooperators and volunteers to keep the pool open, but extensive
repairs are necessary in order for the facility to continue operating.
The
Operation and Maintenance of the Pool is an ongoing concern for Trinity
County (which owns the pool) as the Weaverville/Douglas City Parks and
Recreation District (which manages the pool) has been unable to recoup
its costs in recent years. It is expected that a renovated Pool will
be much more efficient and less expensive to operate than the old, deteriorating
Pool. Due to leakage in the water delivery system, water, chemical,
and heating costs have been extremely high. Changes planned for a renovated
Pool would cut operating costs significantly.
The Lowden Park Pool offers many programs including recreational, competition
and lap swimming, swim lessons, therapeutic programs, water safety,
and aquatic exercise. Area schools use the Pool as part of their Physical
Education curriculum. American Red Cross Life Guard Courses are offered
each year, and the District employs local teens as lifeguards and instructors.
The Weaverville Swim Team (WAVES) has held meets at the Lowden Park
Pool for 25 years. In 2003, the last Weaverville meet included 190 swimmers.
The annual swim meet at the Lowden Park Pool filled motels, campgrounds
and restaurants with guests. Over 1,500 visitors from outside the County
also visit the pool annually. Pool users include the Trinity County
White Water Search and Rescue Team, and local kayak instructors.
The Lowden Aquatic Park Project (LAPP) is a private, non-profit corporation
created to facilitate the development of a multi-generational, multi-purpose
seasonally-operated community pool in Weaverville. Our goal is to provide
a community pool and associated facilities that includes an outdoor
swimming pool, capable of supporting swim meets and recreational lap
swimming, an adjacent play pool with slide, a toddler pool, and a therapy
pool. LAPP is conducting community outreach to identify sources of in-kind
material, labor, equipment, and researching cost-saving measures to
help move the project forward. This group is made up of community volunteers
who aim to rebuild Lowden Park Pool for the future.
Grant funding in the amount of $300,000 has been approved by the State
of California to help fix the pool. The District and LAPP raised required
matching funds (via donations and user fees) and the District is now
working to secure final design and construction specifications so that
a contractor might bid on the project. Pool construction would start
in late-summer 2007. In addition, $25,000 in funds have been donated
for construction of a toddler facility by the First Five foundation
and approximately $140,000 will be allocated toward the renovation of
the Pool by the Trinity County Board of Supervisors from the 2002 Per
Capita Park Bond (Proposition 40). Unfortunately, pools are expensive.
Another $300,000 is needed to meet first phase pool renovation needs.
LAPP is working to secure donations of money, construction material,
and in-kind services, and continues work to earn additional grant monies.
Your assistance - in any capacity, is needed to meet current renovation
needs.
Benefits from a renovated and expanded aquatic center in Weaverville
are substantial and include health, safety, economic benefits, summer
employment for teens, recreational opportunity for youth and elderly
of this community. Access to a pool is vital to ensure the community
the opportunity to develop and maintain water safety skills, healthy
physical activity and recreation, in addition to being a draw for tourist
dollars. The future aquatic park will provide recreational opportunities
that enrich the quality of life in Weaverville and adjacent communities.
Help
LAPP today! Call to volunteer or send your tax -deductible donations
to:
LAPP, PO Box 2881, Weaverville, CA 96093
Last updated March 4, 2008
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