Effort to save aquatic center continues

July 19, 2022 — Since 2009, the pool at the Siuslaw Regional Aquatic Center (SRAC) has remained dry. For many members of the Mapleton community, the fight is not over to fill it with water and use it as a swimming pool again.

Those interested in discussing the reopening of the Mapleton pool and the steps needed to refill it are invited to meet at the Mapleton Lions Club kitchen on Wednesday, July 27, at 6 p.m.

At their June board meeting, the Mapleton School Board, who owns and maintains the building that houses the pool, voted to move forward with plans to explore other non-pool options at the site. Some community members are not prepared to give up on using the building for aquatics.

“Community members are strongly encouraged to attend,” says Vanessa West, one of the organizers of the event. “It will take significant community support to discourage the school board from ‘filling the pool with cement.’”

According to West, the plan to reopen the pool has three parts:

• Show community support
• Come up with fundraising ideas
• Discuss how to approach the school board for cooperation

The SRAC Board will also be in attendance at the meeting to answer the community’s questions and hear their comments and concerns.

The Mapleton Lions Club is located at 88158 Riverview Ave.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/408947451268558.