Leavenworth's watering hole will open summer 2019

    Over the course of the last few months, its been a nail biting, 'will they, won't they', uncertainty surrounding the future of the Howard Hopkins Memorial Pool - finally the situation has stabilized. The city of Leavenworth announced February 13 that the Leavenworth watering hole, where the locals gather, will open for the summer.
    In order for the long time pool to stay afloat, there needed to be some improvements that had a hefty price tag attached. After residents voted against the Upper Valley Park and Service Area levy in August 2018 - that would've funded the resurfacing of the pool and various upkeep costs - the city council was at odds how to mend the situation.
    "I think its important to keep the pool upkeep," said Elmer Larsen at the February 13 study session. "It's front and center as you drive through town."
    Mayor Cheri Farivar agreed at the study session, noting this prevents future deterioration as well and that the money is there. The council members were all openly in favor of this.
    At the February 13 City Council meeting, the council approved the motion to finance the pool with three options: 1/3 with Lodging Tax funds, 1/3 with the city's funds and 1/3 with a three year loan to the PRSA. It's $61,000 and some pennies for each.
    "I think one third, one third, one third is a defensible position and one that seems measured. And there's good logic to it," said council member Clint Strand, also at the February 13 study session.
    The bid for the surge tank resurfacing, pool resurfacing and fiberglassing was a total of $183,139 from the Ellensburg company, W.M. Smith & Associates Inc. This was approved at the February 13 city council meeting.