EDMONDS — In their struggle to keep Yost Pool from closing this summer, supporters have used picket signs at meetings, cute photographs in e-mails and phone calls to help solicit private donations.
Soon, they will have a new set of weapons: spaghetti, rigatoni and chicken fettuccine.
A benefit dinner featuring tempting Italian dishes is set for 5 to 10 p.m. April 15 at downtown’s La Galleria restaurant.
“The community is pretty serious about Yost,” said Josh Colberg, who owns the restaurant at 546 Fifth Ave. S. “People care about it deeply.”
Closing the pool this summer would save the city between $80,000 and $120,000. The city is facing a $1 million budget shortfall in its $34 million general-fund budget this year because of a drop in sales tax revenue.
Pool supporters have raised more than $14,700 to keep the pool open and have suggested fee increases that could raise about $40,000 more.
When Colberg was asked for a donation, he and a friend came up with a way to raise money and introduce people to his restaurant with the benefit dinner.
The event will feature live music, prizes will be raffled during the evening, and 20 percent of all proceeds will be donated to support Yost, Colberg said.
If the pool is not reopened, the city plans to return all donations. In that case, Colberg will donate to the city itself or to a local charity, he said.
“My hope is that the pool makes enough money to stay open,” said Colberg, who noted how rare public outdoor pools are. “In the summer, everybody likes to be out in the sun.”
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