A management agreement is now in place for the Washington outdoor pool. The Washington City Council approved a three-year agreement with the YMCA to manage the Steele Family Aquatic Center. The item had been tabled at the previous meeting after council members had expressed some things they’d like to see changed. Mayor Jaron Rosien explained some of the changes including a no-charge usage for WCDC or other special needs groups as coordinated with the Y, “Some of the major changes from the original proposal include the free swim for individuals with special needs incorporated into this written agreement, as well as movement on not closing for low attendance but only for weather, those are a couple of specific adjustments.”

Councillor Steve Gault shared his appreciation with the YMCA on the compromises made, “The kids are the main thing. I really appreciate you doing that, because someone told me one time when two people are negotiating and neither one of them is happy it’s been a good negotiation. I know you don’t want to pay for lifeguards, but by the same token I wanted something else, so we’ve done good and I really appreciate it. I hope you will keep that in there, because the kids definitely need that. It’s something I can’t say but I can tell you that the kids when they find out tomorrow, I’m going to get phone calls, like from my sister-in-law tomorrow because she’s going to have her hands full with bubbly kids. So, very, very good, I appreciate it.”

The pool traditionally opens at the end of May and closes for the season at the end of August when school is back in session.