Valley County Pool Campaign Working Behind The Scenes

The Valley County Pool Campaign committee has been working hard behind the scenes these past few months, continuing to get the word out everywhere they can for the need of a new pool and bathhouse in Glasgow. From writing grants, to adding another option to donate, to making the first official step of making the campaign a reality, even during the midst of a pandemic, the committee is out there in full force to make the dream a reality.

Recently, the campaign was awarded a $250,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, which is a federal grant program administered by the state. City of Glasgow grant writer and committee member Kathy Granger filled out the lengthy application in February of 2019 while the rest of the committee went around to various local businesses, non-profit entities and private citizens to raise the matching funds needed to be able to apply.

According to Friends of the Pool Committee member Maggan Walstad, this grant has been a year in the making as in August of last year the funding for the grant was placed on hold due to funds being directed to another project.

“In April, we received a letter from the grant administrator, stating that we are a recipient, explained Walstad. “We need to complete this project in three years to be able to get the earmarked funds which brings an urgency to raise the remaining money needed.”

As of May 28, the current total for the campaign is $943,495 which 34 percent of the total necessary funds needed to build the new pool and bathhouse. As a result of feedback by donors, the campaign now has found a way to accept donations of appreciated assets, such as mutual funds or stock.

“We have partnered with the Valley County Community Foundation, who was one of the original pledgers to the pool, in order to make this happen,” stated Walstad. “A donor won’t have to incur a capital gain tax, and if you itemize on your taxes, you can write-off the amount on the current tax year. It’s a win-win for us and the donor.”

In addition to donating stocks and mutual funds, farmers have the option to donate grain and calves. “The City of Glasgow can accept these items and turn them into cash for the cause,” stressed Walstad. Other ways to donate are through the “Every Drop Counts” boxes located at Albertsons and Reynolds; cash or check donations by printing off the donation form on the campaign’s website; giving online through the website; and/or through a qualified charitable donation such as donating all or part of one’s required minimum distribution (RMD) if the donor is at least 70 ½ years of age and has an IRA.

“We are steadily working towards our goal and receiving funding from the Land and Water Conservation Grant is a great boost. Hopefully this boost will provide donors the incentive to further continue to support the new bathhouse and pool,” said Walstad.

As a result of the continued support and a 2019 grant from the Valley County Community Foundation, the committee was able to hire Interstate Engineering, of Fort Peck, this past winter to start the process of creating the plans for the pool and bathhouse. Over the next couple of weeks, they are expected to perform a site survey and create a base map, which according to Walstad is the first step of things actually happening.

To further assist in the funding endeavor, the committee has discussed establishing their own 501(c) (3) status in order to take further advantage of a variety of grants that are available.

“There are some grants that we have tried to apply for, but couldn’t because we personally don’t have the status. Though, right now there is much focus on COVID relief funding, rightfully so, that it’s hard to find any grants to apply for at the moment,” explained Walstad.

In addition to donating through the various means, one fundraising event currently still planned is the Wine Flight and Charcuterie Night, which was supposed to be held in March, however was postponed until October as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Walstad assures those who already purchased tickets that they are still in the running for the magnificent prizes including a diamond and white gold ring from Baker’s Jewelry and an inverter generator from Zerbe Brothers. Donated prizes are also being stored until the event can be held.

As restrictions are slowly being lifted, the current pool is expected to be open for swim lessons through the Glasgow Recreation Department and the Kiwanis Thunder Swim Team is also still expected to utilize the current pool for practice and meets. Though no definite time frame has been established on when the actual building of the new pool will start, Walstad and the rest of the Valley County Pool Campaign committee are working hard behind the scenes to garner as much support and increase the ways to allow community members, present and past, to invest in the city of Glasgow and the county.

The committee invites you to like their Facebook page - Valley County Community Pool Campaign or go to their website http://www.valcopool.com, where you can learn further information about the project. If there are any questions, the committee can be contacted via e-mail, [email protected], or phone 406-228-8341.