News Release
The public pool in Patagonia has seen a lot of activity and changes this year. It was used for swim lessons, laps, water aerobics, and physical therapy, as well as free swim time. It also provided employment for student lifeguards.
The pool, although located on the school campus, is funded by the Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center (PRAC), which is an all-volunteer organization, funded through donations, grants, and fundraisers. For a while, only about a half dozen people were holding things together. However, we’re very excited about the progress being made.
There was a point during the summer when PRAC did not have enough money to meet its financial obligations to the school. A fundraiser was held, many people gave generously, and it succeeded in covering our expenses. In order to avoid a repeat of this situation, a finance team is coming together to guide and fund the organization.
Many people have stepped up. There are now teams in place, managing maintenance, scheduling lifeguards, volunteering as lifeguards, working on sustainable financing, restructuring the organization, obtaining grants, working on the next Memorandum of Understanding with the schools, and fundraising through yard sales and booths. This is an exciting time. There are definitely challenges, but things are coming along at a rapid pace.
Karen Riggs has joined Anne Townsend, Alice Sweedo, and Clare Bonelli on the PRAC board—and we are looking forward to some other new members.
Beth Lofquist, a former water systems engineer for a large corporation and current head of the maintenance team, is working on policies and procedures, as well as analyzing equipment problems—and there have been many with the elderly system. The maintenance team is seeking financing to correct tissues with the equipment and chemicals. Libby McAfee has been coordinating our volunteer lifeguards.
Several people have volunteered to work on grants and financing. We still have some big things to tackle, but we have come a long way in a very short time. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up!
In addition to our many, generous donors, the following grantors have provided funds for the pool:
• The Patagonia Regional Community Fund, (a component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation) – $5,000.
• South32 Hermosa Community Fund – (held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona) – $10,000.
• Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona – $2,500.
• SSVEC Foundation– Education Entity grant – Phase II, – $15,899.
• Sports Fund of Arizona (Component Fund of the Arizona Community Foundation) – $1,000
Moving into the fall, the pool will be holding lap time, water aerobics, and free swim on Fridays as long as people are coming, and will be open Mondays and Wednesdays, at least through early October. Check the page at facebook.com/PatagoniaPool to be sure of hours and opening before going down.