Alva board approves Cory Washburn pool rules, hears construction and staffing update

The Alva Economic Development Authority voted to approve the prices and rules for the Cory Washburn Family Memorial Swimming Pool, including an adjustment to operate seven days a week. The motion to approve the rules with the change carried on a roll call vote.

Why it matters: staff said the pool is nearing completion but several steps remain — plastering, slide inspections, chemical delivery and staff certification — before a grand opening date can be set. The board’s approval of rules and hours clears a key operational item while staff continues hiring and training lifeguards and a pool manager.

Staff reported construction activity at the pool: chip sealing of parking lots is planned, plastering of the pool is pending (timed to avoid dust during finishing), sidewalks on the east side will be poured and some curb and gutter work remains. A change order to enclose an equipment/telemetry area and install steel plates in the bathhouse was discussed; the presenter cited a change-order cost of $13,535 and said the cost would not exhaust contingency. Staff said approximately $287,000 was available in contingency to cover remaining contract items and that a similar amount was identified as a shortfall for some pool expenses; staff expects to reconcile those figures as final invoices and accounting adjustments are completed.

Operations and staffing: staff said chemical delivery is scheduled and that a certified pool operator (CPO) course is being pursued. Lifeguard interviews were scheduled; the pool manager position had one applicant at the time of the meeting and staff said they may operate initially with acting staff until a permanent manager is hired. Staff reported that health-department lifeguard requirements are based on pool square footage and said the current pool requires the equivalent of about 6.7 lifeguards under that formula, though private-party staffing ratios may differ under health-department rules. The pool’s posted capacity was discussed as about 400 people.

On pricing, staff said proposed admission and season-pass prices were benchmarked against similar nearby pools and that the board could revisit rates. The board approved the rules and hours (motion passed by roll call: Tucker — yes; Schielick — yes; Hanson — yes; Glass — yes; Fisher — yes; Swallow — yes).

Staff also discussed security and connectivity plans, including possible Starlink service for seasonal Internet access and a camera system for security.