The Pool Is On Its Own Now
Largely behind the scenes, a major change is quietly playing out in our incredible small town.
Since its installation nearly 40 years ago, the Patagonia Pool has operated under the auspices of either the Town of Patagonia or the Patagonia Union School District as both a valuable educational resource and a recreational facility to be enjoyed by all residents of eastern Santa Cruz County. But operating the pool no longer fits with the demands of today’s public education system,. So, beginning this year, the nonprofit Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center (PRAC), through a written agreement with the school district, has assumed total responsibility for operating the pool…and raising the funds to do it.
In recent years, PRAC and its predecessor Friends of the Patagonia Pool raised over $150,000 in grants and donations to support the school’s operation of the pool. That included heating the pool to allow year-round operation, weather permitting. But PRAC will have to raise well over $100,000 annually to keep the pool operating.
The challenge is huge, but I have seen the generosity of this community in action and I’m confident this effort will succeed. In the coming months, PRAC will offer a variety of opportunities to support this cause with whatever gifts you have to share—time, talents, ideas, and of course, money. We invite all segments of the community—individuals, families and businesses—to join us in our drive to keep this community treasure open for all to enjoy. Learn more or donate at Patagoniapool.org.
Bob Brandt, Chair
PRAC Finance Committee
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