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Residents urge Payson council to act on Taylor pool renovation and aquatic programming
Summary
Multiple residents and volunteers urged the council to move forward on renovating the Taylor pool (or reuse existing infrastructure) to provide affordable swim lessons, senior aquatics and youth programming; speakers highlighted drowning-prevention data and requested user involvement in design.
During Call to the Public on Jan. 14, several residents urged the Town Council to prioritize a public pool project and involve community stakeholders in design and programming.
Laurie Thompson, who has been involved in drowning-prevention for decades, said the time to rebuild Taylor was "2021" and noted that drowning is a leading cause of death for young children; she cited a community survey with over 1,100 responses and more than 90% support for a pool. "These kids deserve a pool," Thompson said, urging the council to act so a renovated facility could be open by 2027 if planning begins now.
Tara Van Deroff and Dale Hayes also spoke to the pool’s community benefits—lessons for children, affordable programming, senior aquatics and possible phased improvements (e.g., heated, 8-lane configurations with later enclosure). Dale Hayes, who works in pool remodeling, offered technical expertise and encouraged saving Taylor rather than building an expensive new facility.
Other commenters suggested developing a countywide certified swim curriculum, tapping grant opportunities and ensuring wide stakeholder representation on any selection or RFP committee. One commenter raised concerns about transparency around prior contracts and requested clearer disclosures.
This topic generated multiple public comments but did not produce council action at the meeting; staff have been directed to proceed with obtaining RFP estimates and council indicated opportunities for future input.
