The Thief River Falls City Council this evening will discuss a proposal to use money from a fund set aside for a community outdoor pool to finance a market and feasibility study for a community wellness center.
The study is being proposed by TRF Forward, a series of wide ranging focus groups formed to engage community action in Thief River Falls.
The current pool fund is maintained by the city, made up of private donations that began with nearly $73,000 in contributions in the late 1980’s. It has been years since anything has been added to or spent from the fund, but – in the most recent financial audit – with interest alone – those original contributions have grown to more than $229,000.
Two feasibility studies are already on record – in 1990 and a Swimming Pool Survey in 1995 and $17,000 was spent from the fund in 1996 for fund-raising expenses related to the MEC Center – a track and football field at NCTC – which at one time included a pool in long range planning.
According to the request before the City Council tonight, one of the drivers of the proposal is the need to rehabilitate the indoor pool at Franklin Middle School, home of the School District #564 Competitive Swimming Program. Proponents say they hope to combine that need with the community desire for an outdoor pool and new facilities under consideration as part of the new Sanford Hospital and Clinic.
Tonight’s meeting gets underway at 5pm at City Hall, the historic Soo Line Depot.
