Grafton pool Project

A: We don't know. The equipment room floor is sinking due to multiple floods over the years. The main sewer line is damaged along with the filtration lines. The pool loses over 6500 gallons of water every day. Best answer we can give is...the pool will close when we are unable to filter water. 

 A: There were fifty (50) community stakeholders interviewed in the feasibility study throughout the Fall of 2024. Interviews were conducted by Kristi Wilfahrt, a nonprofit and fund development consultant, to assess the community’s capacity (willingness and ability) to raise the $5 million gap between the ¼ cent sales tax ordinance that passed July 2024, for a new outdoor pool in Leistikow Park.   

 A: Community stakeholders included prospective lead and major gift partners and donors, community leaders, and other potential individuals, partner organizations, and funders.

 A: The gap in funding was significant and caused concern for the people and organizations who would be called upon to help fund the gap. While many agree the outdoor pool is a great amenity, the majority of the stakeholders interviewed shared concern about the high cost of the outdoor pool and its limited use of 9-10 weeks / year. They also acknowledged regionally, many of the community pools were built 70 years ago and have failed or are failing, noting it wasn’t just Grafton’s pool. In addition, several community organizations reported challenges in meeting their recreational needs through current space and/or programming and felt a year-round facility could help meet their needs, as well provide new opportunities. 

A significant growth was reported regarding the number of younger people in or desiring to participate in various activities such as swimming lessons, gymnastics, basketball, and other youth sports where the seasons overlap making available practice space and open participation a challenge. There is also a desire for multi-use recreational space and programs that are available to all generations. 

Overall, stakeholders felt the next prudent step was to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive health & wellness center where there are more partners, activities, and revenue available to increase the amenities and to help fund the pool.

 A: IBIS Enterprises is an expert in healthcare, wellness, fitness, and recreation Business Planning. Grafton Parks & Recreation contracted with IBIS to complete the financial planning and private public partnerships to determine to what extent a year-round aquatics and recreation center is possible. 

IBIS expects to complete their work April/May 2025. They refer to the project as the Northeast Regional Wellness Center.

 A: The Northeast Regional Wellness Center Planning Group is an informal, small group of community stakeholders that provide guidance to Grafton Parks & Recreation regarding the Grafton Pool Project – including the Northeast Regional Wellness Center. Representatives from the City of Grafton, Grafton Public Schools, Unity Medical Center, Red River Regional Council, Grafton Parks & Recreation and  Community Volunteers are called on for advice and/or have been directly involved in the process including the review of information and recommendations for next steps for Grafton Parks & Recreation Commissioners.  

 A: Collette Fitness Center (1967, updated 1985) is approximately 25,000 sq ft and includes a small pool, gym and fitness center with gym equipment.  It is owned and operated by Life Skills & Transition Center (LSTC), which is under the Department of Health & Human Resources of the State of North Dakota. 

Collette Fitness Center’s pool has immediate needs to paint the pool and to replace the windows. This is a significant investment for North Dakota. The pool is 58 years old and is nearing its natural life expectancy. LSTC aims to right size their campus space and reduce their current footprint. Timing is right to explore a partnership that would benefit LSTC, Grafton Parks & Recreation and the citizens of the region.

 A: Generally, Community Recreation Centers are funded in a variety of ways that include partnerships, lease arrangements, mills, special tax ordinances, pledges, donations, grants, memberships, and other revenue. 

IBIS Enterprises will provide a business and partnership plan for consideration in April or May 2025.

 A: The early estimates for repairing the outdoor pool is $5-6 million, cost to build a new pool is $6-8 million, cost to build an indoor facility is currently unknown. The Pool Project portion of the sales tax is estimated to generate $125,000 annually for 20 years totaling $2.5 million leaving a funding gap of $2-6 million, which is still beyond the Grafton Parks annual budget.

A: Grafton Parks is working with KLJ Engineering and Associated Pool Builders to determine what will be more cost effective...repairing the existing pool or building new.  Due to the high volume of feedback from potential doners and partners that want to see an indoor pool option, we are currently in the process with IBIS Enterprises to determine if an indoor pool option is feasible.

A: No, Ordinance 351 states, "The revenue raised and collected from the levy of one-quarter (1/4%) percent on the sales, use, and gross receipts under this ordinance, less administrative expenses, shall be dedicated only to the use and benefit of Grafton Park District, as directed by the Grafton Park Board, for any and all purposes it deems necessary or appropriate to provide a viable, public swimming pool in the Grafton community."

A: Over the last 70 years, Grafton Parks has performed several maintenance repairs and improvements.

Major Renovations:

1. 1973 - Removed diving boards, changed depth in deep end from 10' to 6', & removed wading pool.
2. 1993 - Installed stainless steel gutters, pool liner, replaced pool pump & sand filter.
3. 2009 - Pool repair and new pool liner $64,000
4. 2012 - Brought facility up to ADA compliance with bathroom renovations, handicap pool lift, new deck around pool, new pool slides, removed and replaced sinking floor in Lifeguard Office $105,000

Minor Maintenance:

1. 2011- Replace boiler coils ($7,500)
2. 2013 - Replaced Chlorinator with Pulsar automatic feeder ($2400)
3. 2014 - Replaced boiler pump and control ($4,100) & pool pump ($2,500). Replaced pool ladder & pool deck furniture ($1,000)
4. 2016 - Repaired pool pump ($1,200). Installed rubber flooring & repainted bathrooms & office ($3,700). Repaired pool showers ($400).
5. 2017 - Replaced pool pump ($4,700) & strainer basket ($1,500). Repaired pool boiler ($350).
6. 2019 - Repaired pool boiler ($600).
7. 2020 - Repaired pool pump ($1,500).
8. 2021 - Added pool deck furniture ($2,250). Replaced pool boiler pump ($1,100).
9. 2022 - Replaced Chlorinator ($6,400) & Pool Pump Motor ($4,500). Repaired pool boiler ($670).

A: No. Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation will manage all monies from sales tax, fund raisers, and donations to the pool project. Monies will be deposited in Grafton Parks and Recreation Foundation's account and will only be used for the pool renovation project. Click here to find out more about the Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation.

A: For every $100 you spend on taxable merchandise in Grafton, it will cost you an additional .25 cents.

A: Now that ordinance 351 for a quarter percent sales tax for the pool project passed on June 11th, 2024, help can come in 3 major ways:

1. Participate in future surveys and public forums as we prioritize pool features that the community wants in a new pool.
2. Make a Tax-Deductible Donation to the Grafton Parks & Recreation Foundation for the Grafton Pool project.
3. Volunteer to help with fundraising opportunities to Save our Pool!