By MATT PIKE
A group raising money in hopes of building a new pool facility in Andrew County saw success during its first fundraiser over the weekend.
The group Andrew County Aquatics Initiative set out to raise $50,000 during the Splash Bash fundraiser, but by the end of Saturday, raised nearly $60,000.
Chairperson Diane Gould says the goal of $50,000 was a sort of litmus test from the group, making sure they were doing the right thing
"Are we representing a loud voice in our community? We thought that if we could hit that $50,000 mark at our first kickoff event, we know that we are heading in the right direction and we’re doing the right thing,” Gould tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
The group was formed in response to the Savannah Parks and Recreation department announcing this would be the final summer for the pool which has been open for more than 60 years.
Gould says the goal of the initiative is to build a new facility, which would serve not only Savannah, but all of Andrew County, as well as the surrounding area.
Gould says though, in the quest to build a new pool facility, while that money helps clear the first hurdle it's not nearly enough for what they need.
"We feel like we’re getting ready to eat an elephant but we’re going to eat it one bite at a time,” Gould explains. “So, we are in the process of applying for a grant for $500,000, if we can raise $500,000 it would be matched dollar for dollar by the Land and Water Conservation fund, and that’s actually the same grant that built our pool initially back in 1964.”
Gould says if they hope to build something comparable to what is currently in Savannah, the cost of the project could be around $4.5 million.
Gould says the ultimate goal with the new facility would be to continue offering those much-needed outdoor pool spaces that are limited in the area.
"Family, fun, music playing, kids socializing type of venue,” Gould says. “It’s the only amenity in our area where kids can come and spend their whole day and be supervised and mentored and work on their swimming skills as well as their life skills.”
Gould also sees the new facility as a complementary piece to the new indoor facility coming to the YMCA in St. Joseph in the future.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH DIANE GOULD
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