Valley County Community Pool Campaign Reaches $2 Million Mark

The Valley County Community Pool Campaign has officially reached the $2 million mark, due to recent donations made during the All-Class Reunion, which took place June 16 through 19. According to Maggan Walstad, a volunteer for the Valley County Pool Campaign committee, $750,000 plus has been raised over the last month due to two big donations provided by individuals, the Glasgow Middle School Builder's Club doing a fundraiser prior to school ending, the Titanic Challenge that occurred earlier this month, as well as those who generously gave and purchased raffle tickets at their booth that was set up during the reunion. "People were very generous!" she stated.

The new pool would include additional amenities than what the current pool offers, including a drop off lane for the safety of kids, off road designated handicap parking spots, zero depth entry for ADA compliance, a fence to protect kids in the beach entry area from going into the deep end as well as a community bathroom for families in the park, among others.

The first big donation came to the campaign in May, courtesy of Maury Graham who donated $250,000 to the cause. Initially an anonymous donor when the donation was first announced, he decided to support the cause as a way to give back to the community that has given him so much throughout the years. He spent a lot of time at the pool over the years, becoming a swimming lessons instructor after passing the lifeguard level of Red Cross swimming lessons, and then later on, his kids would go on to take swim lessons and utilize open swim.

His contribution went beyound his personal connections however as he also believes the value a new pool would add not only to the city of Glasgow, but to Valley County as a whole. In addition to being a means to teach swim lessons, as swimming encourages a well rounded and active lifestyle, it will also help attract young families to the area. "It's one more thing to make the area appealing to someone looking to move here," he stated when the donation was first made.

The cause is so dear to him that prior to reunion weekend, he challenged the Glasgow High School alumni to give back to the community they were raised in, stating if the community lost the pool, it would leave a huge void in the lives of the kids in both Glasgow and the surrounding communities.

Another anonymous individual took that challenge to heart and donated an additional $500,000 during reunion weekend. In addition to the big donation, many alumni checked out the table the campaign had at the Event Center, providing funds and purchasing raffle tickets. Due to the generosity of local businesses, eight people walked away with prizes:

Wade Sundby won a quilt made and donated by Stephanie Meier

Emitt Northrup won a bronze statue donated by Glen Meier

Theo Hayward won two insulated cups donated by D&G

Donald Garjso won a Fire TV stick donated by Nemont

Mike Fischer won an Echo Auto donated by Nemont

Quentin Hancock won a charcuterie board made and donated by John Kulczyk

Darcel Wesen won two insulated cups donated by D&G

Sandy Swenson won a Scottie metal yard sign donated by DB Designs (Dustin Brunelle)

As of print time, the total amount raised is $2,493,028 of the $3,304,000 needed for the project. The campaign has received a $250,000 Land Water and Conservation grant, however the funds have to be used by 2023, otherwise the funds will be allocated to another project outside of Montana, not only causing a ripple effect within the campaign, but also the state.

The Campaign is continuing to work towards obtaining the remaining amount needed to fund the project so the grant is not lost and welcomes any donation one is able to. In addition to having future events scheduled throughout the rest of the year, individuals are encouraged to donate through their website, http://www.valcopool.com, by emailing [email protected] or calling 406-228-8341. They are now a 501c3 organization, where in addition to cash they can receive appreciated assets, Thrivent Choice dollars, commodities, appreciated stock and retirement distributions.

Further information on the campaign can also be located on their website.