Asotin County Family Aquatic Center kicks off capital campaign to raise $4 million for upgrades
Goal is to raise $4 million for updates to 20-year-old recreation facility
The Asotin County Family Aquatic Center is celebrating 20 years of operation and launching a fundraising campaign to raise $4 million for upgrades.
At an open house Wednesday night, potential donors mingled with public facilities district officials to learn more about the project.
Aquatic Center Director Scott Stoll said the goal is to move concessions outside to the waterpark, expand the fitness center to 24-hour access and make improvements such as adding shade features near popular outdoor attractions.
“We thought the 20th anniversary would be a good time to work on some facelifts and improvements,” Stoll said. “Over 130,000 people used the facility in 2023. It was a great year for us.”
Connie Murrow, president of the Asotin County Public Facilities District, has been a steadfast supporter of the center since the idea first surfaced. In 2001, voters overwhelmingly approved a $6.72 million bond to build the new swimming pool complex on Dustan Loop in Clarkston.
More money was needed over the years, and several other revenue streams were added to the mix. The operations of the aquatic center are now covered, and the proposed upgrades would be funded by donations, officials said.
The Asotin County Public Facilities District, which oversees the aquatic center, was formed in 2013. Asotin County voters then approved a dedicated sales tax of two-tenths of 1% to help cover the cost of maintenance and operations at the indoor pools and outdoor water park.
“When we were out gathering signatures on petitions for a dedicated sales tax, we made a promise that every child in Asotin County would get free swimming lessons, and we’ve done that in cooperation with the schools,” Murrow said. “I’m really proud of that. We work really hard to keep this place clean and safe, and it provides lots of jobs for kids. It’s an asset to the community.”
During the summer months, 60 employees are on hand to keep things running smoothly. Since 2004, more than 1.5 million visits to the outdoor water park and indoor pools have been tallied, according to the open house organizers.
If the capital campaign is successful, the first project on tap is to relocate concessions to the outdoor water park, which will give families better access.
When the interior concessions are moved, the available space inside will be remodeled and used for working spaces and have flex rooms for year-round use.
The fitness area would be converted into an expanded 24-hour access gym. Upgrades to pumps, motor control centers, rooftop units, pool resurfacing and other equipment improvements are also on tap.
New play features at the adventure pool and shade canopies, locker room upgrades, and construction of outdoor event cabanas that can be reserved for birthday parties and other events are on the to-do list, along with partial lazy river shading.
Brady Arnone, a public facilities board member, said he remembers visiting the center as a kid. Since joining the board, he’s learned how much of an impact the aquatics center has had on the community.
“A ton of people come in and out of this place,” Arnone said. “It’s amazing, and I’m excited about the future projects. This really is the go-to place for kids in our community.”
Donation information is available at the center, 1603 Dustan Loop, or by contacting Stoll at (509) 758-0110. Hours of operation and prices are available online at theaquaticcenter.org.
Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com.
