The Grants Pass Family YMCA celebrated the completion of its newly renovated pool Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community members, local organizations, grant supporters, and those who helped make the project possible.
The ceremony marked the completion of a project that began with an unignorable problem.
According to YMCA CEO Brad Converse, concerns about the pool’s condition first became apparent last year. Converse said he was cautioned against draining the pool because of cracking plaster, damaged tiles, and rust. There was concern that once the water was removed, the pool’s condition could make it impossible to safely refill it and return it to service.
But a pool, as Converse pointed out, has to be drainable.
Once the pool was emptied and inspected, it became clear that repairs alone would not be enough. The pool would need to be renovated.
Work officially began July 27, with crews working to complete the renovation in time for the YMCA’s members to return to the water. By Monday, Sept. 21, the newly renovated pool was ready for use.
The difference was immediately noticeable.
“The heaters for the pool actually had to be turned down,” Converse said, pointing to the effectiveness of the new pool floor and improvements. “The new floor is doing very well at its job.”
The project ultimately cost approximately $330,000, above the original estimate of $280,000. The additional work included the new pool floor, improvements to hallways throughout the YMCA facility, and a new diving board.
The renovation was made possible in part through grants and support from local community partners. Representatives from Evergreen National Bank, organizations that assisted with grant funding, and other project supporters attended Friday’s ceremony, along with members of the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce and local media.
For the YMCA, the renovation represents more than simply a new surface beneath the water. The pool is an important part of the facility’s programming, providing space for swimming, water walking, fitness programs, classes, and recreational activities for members and families.
Converse said the YMCA typically sees around 1,000 people coming through its doors, and the renovated pool is expected to become another important part of that daily activity.
“We usually have around 1,000 people come in and out,” Converse said. “We’ll only see how it goes tomorrow.”
Friday’s ribbon-cutting marked the official celebration of a project that had been in question only a year earlier. What began with concerns about whether the aging pool could even be drained has now resulted in a renewed facility ready to serve YMCA members and the Grants Pass community for years to come.
With the renovation complete and the pool once again welcoming swimmers, the YMCA has turned its attention toward what comes next: putting the renewed facility to use and continuing to provide aquatic programs, recreation, and fitness opportunities for the community.
Reach reporter Jared Pearson at [email protected].