Pool Campaign Hits 2.5 Million Mark

Last week Katie Knierim and Kevin Miller donated $25,000 to the Valley County Community Pool Campaign making the total raised $2,518,028, just over the $2.5 million mark, of the $3,304,000 goal needed to build a new pool in Glasgow.

The Miller children, Jack and Molly, are both part of the Glasgow Kiwanis Swim Team Thunder, and Knierim swam in swim team as a kid, so seeing the campaign so close to their goal and seeing a new pool in Glasgow within sights is important to them as a family.

Jory Casterline, Valley County Community Pool Campaign committee member, was recently on Live Under the Big Sky and talked about the immense undertaking it is each year to get the pool ready for another season. The Knierm-Miller family also agree, the pool needs to be replaced. "The pool is in terrible shape. The community has done an amazing job raising money for the new pool. We decided as a family, we wanted to be a part of that and know that we did what we could to help," said Knierm.

Over the years, the swim team has been instrumental to the Knierim-Miller family with them admitting their weekends are filled with swimming, camping and playing Nerf wars with teammates, which truly define their summers. "We love swim team and our summer sports family," stated Knierm. "Swim team is a great group of kids and we love watching the older kids model hard work, discipline and kindness for the younger kids. Our kids do lots of youth sports, but our local swim team does the best job of creating team chemistry. From youngest to oldest, the whole team, parents, and grandparents, all turn out to cheer on each and every kid."

During the City Council meeting on July 5, Mayor Rod Karst, who is also a part of the Valley County Community Pool Campaign, spoke to the rest of the council stating the committee will continue to fundraise and look for grants the 501c3 organization would be eligible to apply for. Since the committee is so close to the goal for the project, Mayor Karst expressed the need for the City to be proactive in starting to think about how to obtain the final funding if necessary, mentioning whether that's taking out a loan and what that would look like for the city or what would it look like if an assessment would be issued every year. He also expressed the need for the Council to direct the Pool committee to start the process in getting the bid out to look for contractors to start the project.

At this time, Interstate Engineering is putting together bid packets and Karst explained how the bid process could be going on as the final funding is obtained. "It is possible they could do the demolition this fall, and depending on the weather, if you know the bid was out there, somebody could start on construction this fall, pick it up in the spring and who knows how long it would take from there," he stated. "Since we started the process, the price has gone up a half a million, and you know the longer we wait, the more it's going to go up. We need to make the decision to say, go ahead and tell the swimming pool committee, to go ahead and work with Interstate Engineering about getting the bid process ready and get that out."

Councilman Stan Ozark made the motion to move forward with the project before costs go up, and Councilwoman Lisa Koski seconded with everyone in favor. "We are close enough," stated Councilman Doug Nistler. The motion allows the City Council to direct the Valley County Community Pool Campaign to go through the process of bidding out the project with hopeful demolition of the current pool this fall. Koski mentioned during the meeting she doesn't want the pool to just go away with the start of the demolition but hoped if people actually see there is no pool, maybe that would spur the question in their minds what they can do as a community and a county to get a new pool built.

The Knierim-Miller family encourages anyone to donate what they are able to. "As the end is finally in sight, we just encourage everyone to please give what they can so our community can finally get this new pool started!" said Knierim.

Individuals are encouraged to donate through the Campaign's 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 and upcoming fundraisers can be located on their website or on Facebook and Instagram @valcopool.