Voters Approve Swimming Pool Project Funding
December 16th, 2013 – New Rockford city residents voted in a special election on December 11 to approve the ballot measure on funding for the new community swimming pool and bathhouse project.
The only item on the ballot was the funding proposal, permitting the City of New Rockford to bond up to $900,000 towards the project. The bonds comprise 60% of the proposed funding plan, with the remaining $600,000 to be generated from extensive grant writing, community fundraising, and the city’s general budget fund. The bonds will be payable over 20 years through the collection of property taxes.
The vote passed with 70% approval. In order to pass, 60% of participating voters were required to vote in favor of the ballot measure.
Mayor Jim Belquist, who has been closely involved throughout the 14-month project, stated that, “The Pool Committee, Sarah and Jessica at economic development, Park Board President Judy Allmaras, and the New Rockford Park Board dedicated months of work and research to this project. The citizens of New Rockford showed their positive support for the project at the polls and we thank all the voters for being involved. With the vote passed, we are now three-fourths of the way to the construction of our new pool.”
The next phase of the pool project will entail significant grant writing and community fund raising by the New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation (NRABC) and the New Rockford Park Board. NRABC Executive Director Sarah Smith Warren says, “We will spend the next year in an intense grant writing and fundraising campaign. Every donation, in any amount, will be appreciated. The end result will be a positive and healthy space for our kids, families and visitors that our community can be proud of.”
The current New Rockford Swimming Pool will be open for a regular season this summer. The new pool construction is projected to begin fall of 2014, but will be contingent on soil samples, weather and funding.
Information on the project is available at City Hall or online at www.cityofnewrockford.com. Questions may also be directed to Pool Committee Co-Chair Sarah Smith Warren at 947-2205, Park Board President Judy Allmaras at 302-0034 or Mayor Belquist at 302-0524.