Wallowa County approves $102,000 grant to Waitsburg for pool-to-ice-rink conversion
July 28, 2025 | Walla Walla County, Washington
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The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners voted July 28 to approve a grant to the City of Waitsburg for $102,000 from the county’s allocation of economic development sales-tax funds for a pool-site conversion project. City Manager Randy Hinchliffe told the board the city closed and filled its historic pool (built in 1925) after structural failure and other issues and now plans to install an artificial ‘glice’ rink surface and related improvements so the site can serve as a winter ice rink and a summer skate area.
Why it matters: The project repurposes a long-unused municipal facility into a year-round recreational amenity designed to generate seasonal economic activity in Waitsburg, support part-time seasonal employment and provide local youth recreation without the cost of rebuilding a full pool.
Project details: Hinchliffe said the city has already invested roughly $20,000 to fill and stabilize the pool area and expects the kit of rink panels, fencing and skates to cost about $60,000. Additional costs include a concrete slab, lighting, and minor bathhouse renovations to provide locker/office space and ADA restroom accommodations. The city expects to operate roughly 20 hours a week in winter using two to three seasonal employees. The county’s portion of funds would close the city’s financing gap; commissioners noted the project met Port/port-authority eligibility criteria for the economic development fund.
Board comments and vote: Commissioners asked whether the project fit the fund’s criteria and whether the Port had endorsed it; staff confirmed the port’s support and eligibility. Commissioners praised the creative reuse of the site and approved the grant unanimously. The board thanked the city for the planning work and noted a ribbon-cutting will be scheduled at project completion.
Implementation notes: The city will finalize concrete work, a winter-safe bathhouse plan and staffing. The county will provide the approved grant and follow the usual agreement and reporting process for economic development funds.
Why it matters: The project repurposes a long-unused municipal facility into a year-round recreational amenity designed to generate seasonal economic activity in Waitsburg, support part-time seasonal employment and provide local youth recreation without the cost of rebuilding a full pool.
Project details: Hinchliffe said the city has already invested roughly $20,000 to fill and stabilize the pool area and expects the kit of rink panels, fencing and skates to cost about $60,000. Additional costs include a concrete slab, lighting, and minor bathhouse renovations to provide locker/office space and ADA restroom accommodations. The city expects to operate roughly 20 hours a week in winter using two to three seasonal employees. The county’s portion of funds would close the city’s financing gap; commissioners noted the project met Port/port-authority eligibility criteria for the economic development fund.
Board comments and vote: Commissioners asked whether the project fit the fund’s criteria and whether the Port had endorsed it; staff confirmed the port’s support and eligibility. Commissioners praised the creative reuse of the site and approved the grant unanimously. The board thanked the city for the planning work and noted a ribbon-cutting will be scheduled at project completion.
Implementation notes: The city will finalize concrete work, a winter-safe bathhouse plan and staffing. The county will provide the approved grant and follow the usual agreement and reporting process for economic development funds.
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