Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center fund LED upgrade, pledge $15,000 toward replastering and new slide

The Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center, a nonprofit formed in 2019 to support the city’s pool, has paid for recent repairs and equipment upgrades and pledged funds toward a planned replastering and leisure-pool remodel, the organization’s president said in a podcast interview.

Anne Hurd, president of the Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center, said the group paid $10,780 to replace the natatorium’s fluorescent fixtures and ballasts with LED lighting. "The difference that it made in the pool was literally night and day," Hurd said, adding that the new lights have improved visibility for swimmers, including a visually impaired regular who told a board member, "it's so nice to have the new lights because now he can actually see whether the lanes are empty or not."

Hurd traced the group’s origin to a rumor that the city might sell the pool. She said members met with then-city manager Greg Ellis, who agreed to support the effort and provided city attorney services; the nonprofit received official status on February 22, 2019. "We officially got our nonprofit status on February 22, 2019," she said.

Since forming, Friends has funded a range of repairs and equipment: a $1,500 replacement for a failed suit spinner; a bottle-filler water fountain; a washer and dryer and related electrical and plumbing work for staff use; repair work on a leaking check valve that brings city water into the pool; sand-filter and heat-exchanger maintenance; an ADA family-bathroom door replacement (about $9,000); and the installation costs for a therapy lift (about $5,000). Hurd also said the group helped pay for "the boiler fix," which she described as "a huge amount of money, like 8 or $9,000."

Friends also paid for a $27,000 computer system — called the "fishbowl" — that allows staff to monitor and run pool systems remotely from the lifeguard room, eliminating the need for lengthy, hazardous trips into the pump pit for resets. "Now they can run everything from there," Hurd said.

On upcoming capital work, Hurd said the city has a $115,000 budget line for replastering the leisure pool and lazy river; the broader renovation, including removal of a high-maintenance fountain and installation of a small whale slide, she said totals about $130,000. Friends will contribute $15,000 toward that renovation, which she expects to occur early next year.

Hurd described the nonprofit’s fundraising model: roughly 30 business banners displayed in the natatorium, with annual banner fees that range by size from about $330 to $1,000; when those renewals are paid, she said, banner revenue totals roughly $18,422 for the year. She also cited recurring donors and local businesses that provide emergency support, naming Brixius Jewelers, Home Comfort, Les Schwab and Willamette Valley Fiber as examples.

To donate or get involved, Hurd said people should visit the pool, donate online at fdacoregon.org (Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center, Oregon) or use PayPal, mail gifts to PO Box 785 in Dallas, or drop checks at the aquatic center; donors receive receipts and tax-deduction documentation.

Hurd emphasized the Friends’ priority is keeping the facility open, clean and safe. She praised lifeguard training and recounted a swift rescue of a toddler as an example of staff readiness. "They are fantastic," she said of the lifeguards, and credited trainers Gretchen and Kylie.

The Friends’ investments and volunteer support, Hurd said, have helped the aquatic center remain a community asset used by seniors, families and visitors from neighboring towns. The podcast episode closed with Hurd saying her favorite thing about Dallas is "the small town feel" and, personally, "the aquatic center."