Selah Pool in Danger of Closing
Selah Pool
Dozens of children fill the Selah pool every morning.
For them, it's an opportunity to escape the summer heat, and pick up a few swimming tips.
But for people like Viola and Mariah Hunot, that option may be running dry.
"I told her that they're gonna close it if we don't vote or have enough people vote to keep it open. She said 'my pool can't close down, because how am i going to learn how to swim?' and she started crying," says Hunot
On August 7th, Selah voters will decide the fate of the city pool, by voting on a proposed levy which requires them to pay an addiitonal property tax to fund the pool's operation and repair.
For the average homeowner of a $100,00 home, they would pay $8.50 a year.
The levy is expected to collect $120,000 a year for 6 years, the amount needed to cover annual operating costs.
If the levy falls through, not only will Selah residents lose their only pool, but workers will also be out of a job.
"We also do employ about 20 people here at the Selah pool every summer. We have a full time manager that works 40 hours a week, the rest are all part-time, mostly high school and college students," says Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hagler.
And employees agree. Jahr Ryan describes the pool as his second home.
"If this place went down, it would bug me. Not only for a job, but all my friends, it's the only community pool. I think we get some good business, probably just need a little bit of help," says Ryan.
As for Viola, she thinks any cost is worth it to fix the problems with the pool and keep it open.
"There's cracks in the pool that they've already tried mending, and it costs money to mend those cracks in the pool. So, all we can do is hope that people do vote," says Hunot.
The Levy needs a simple majority in order to pass.