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Skagway committee, recreation board revive pool and ADA planning
Summary
At the Aug. 26 committee meeting, the Skagway Recreation Board and recreation director renewed calls for a community pool and urged combining senior services, ADA upgrades and transportation planning; committee members noted prior studies, likely seasonal use, and maintenance cost concerns.
Courtney Ellingson, speaking for the Skagway Recreation Board, told the Health, Education & Welfare Committee the board has resumed long‑ and short‑term planning and that a community pool remains a “lofty but very valuable goal.” Ellingson said prior studies and architecture work existed but that planning stalled during the pandemic.
Jason Verhaeg, recreation director, urged integrating senior services, provider housing and a pool into a single central facility to improve transportation access and ADA compliance. “When the rec center is eventually audited for ADA, there’s no way we will pass,” Verhaeg said, arguing that a central facility with zero‑grade entry and other accessible features would better serve seniors and reduce duplicated operating costs across multiple buildings.
Committee members recalled earlier work with USA Swimming, which conducted a pulse study and concluded a pool would likely be used seasonally (partly driven by cruise ship visitors). Members and public speakers emphasized that while grants to build pools were historically available, the recurring maintenance and staffing costs posed the main obstacle: earlier estimates suggested such costs could substantially increase the rec center’s annual budget. Speakers recommended forming a dedicated ad hoc pool committee that includes senior representatives and pursuing interagency cooperation and grant sources — including ADA‑related funding where appropriate.
The committee did not take formal action on a pool project at this meeting; members encouraged the rec board to continue planning and to surface specific funding requests and a clearer scope for future consideration.
