Monroe wades into pool issue

By LESLIE MORIARTY

Herald Writer

MONROE — Everyone thinks it’s a swimming idea. But nobody’s ready, yet, to take the plunge and say where it should go.

They’re talking about a swimming pool for Monroe residents.

And, although voters have turned down the idea several times at the ballot box because it would raise property taxes, a recent survey shows that a pool is ranked first on residents’ list of "wants."

That information has brought dueling pool proposals before the city council.

"I’d love to see this city have a pool," Mayor Bob Holman said. "But I am concerned that we do it in the right manner."

The first proposal came in September from officials of the Snohomish County YMCA, who asked the city to pay $30,000 to have the matter put on the ballot next spring.

In that scenario, if a bond measure passed to have the pool construction funded through a property tax increase, the YMCA would manage it with the Monroe School District and the East County Parks and Recreation District.

The second proposal came this week from Jim Blair, who owns the Valley Rally Fitness Club in Monroe. He told the council that he would like to enter into a public-private partnership to build a pool.

He said he wants the city to donate land or sell some to him at a "good price." He would then build the pool and manage it.

In that case, the pool would be a money-making venture for his fitness club, but it would also be available to nonmembers and to the school district.

City council member Marc Mechling said he sees advantages to Blair’s proposal.

"There would be no long-term financial risk to the city," he said. "And it wouldn’t take a tax increase to get the pool built.

"It could probably be up and operational within 18 months that way, by avoiding an election. But there are some questions about whether the city could give property away or sell it for less than market value when it involves a private for-profit business."

That’s the same concern Holman has.

"There’s really no justification for giving a profit-making company land unless it will service the taxpayers in some beneficial way down the road," he said. "We have to remember that whatever land the city has to give or sell — that land belongs to the people."

Holman said he’s not against the idea, however, and wants to see a pool built soon. He said he directed city staff to research the subject and bring information back to the council. It is expected to be a discussion topic at a work session within a month.

But most council members see an advantage to not having to go to voters and want to work on a public-private partnership.

Council members are worried that a bond issue wouldn’t pass. Similar issues failed in 1980 and 1992. A ballot measure by the school district in 1996 would have funded a pool and a stadium, but it was turned down.

While the park district is being asked to play a part in the pool discussions, its board has not committed mainly because it is having troubled getting voters to pass a maintenance and operations levy to keep the park and programs going. That measure comes before voters for a second time Tuesday, having failed in September.

Meanwhile, a committee in Monroe — working for several years on the city’s centennial, set for 2002 — has determined that it wants a pool to be the centennial "gift" to the city. That committee is working with the YMCA’s proposal.

It was through that group and the school district that residents were polled and replied that a pool is the No. 1 thing they want to see added to the city.

Holman said he is committed to seeing the council address the issue.

"I want to see a pool built," he said. "But it is a situation that we have to be very careful about. We can’t be mixing taxpayer dollars with a private for-profit business unless we have very sure grounds for doing so."

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.