Ballots for the Nov. 4 election will begin arriving in mailboxes by next weekend. Othello residents will decide whether to approve a bond to repair and reopen the Othello Community Pool. Our editorial board fully endorses the bond and encourages you to vote “YES” on the Othello pool bond.
Improper construction caused a catastrophic plumbing failure at the pool in 2023. More than 34 million gallons of water leaked that year, forcing the city to close the facility and study repair and replacement options. City leaders formed a committee to work with a consultant and identify the most practical solution.
The committee presented four options to residents through an informal online and in-person survey. The most expensive plans carried a $21 million price tag and included new indoor and outdoor pools, a community room and a hefty tax increase. The lower-cost options, around a few million dollars, focused on repairing the existing pool and reopening it sooner. Predictably, the survey showed support for the bigger, flashier options. But participation was low, votes could not be verified, and the survey was not scientific.
(Read: Othello Residents to Vote on Pool Proposal)
After a long and passionate discussion on July 28, fiscal sense prevailed. The City Council approved a $3.35 million bond measure for the Nov. 4 ballot. That proposal would fund a refurbished pool with properly installed plumbing. No extras, just the Othello Community Pool the city knows and loves.
The plan promises to reopen the pool next summer. We are skeptical of that timeline. The city also expected to finish a splash pad at Kiwanis Park this summer, but the project stalled while waiting for health department approvals. The same kind of delay could affect pool construction. That is not a reason to vote no. It is simply a reminder to stay realistic.
The property tax increase is minimal but necessary. Amenities cost money, and the pool has never generated profit. Parks, ballfields and pools are not personal investments. They are public assets, and their value comes from the well-being and opportunities they bring to the community.
This summer, the talented Barracudas swim team drove to Connell for practices and held only virtual “home” meets because Connell’s pool is not competition ready. They deserve better.
Seniors who relied on the pool for exercise lost that benefit. They deserve better.
Kids who spent long, hot Othello summers cooling off in the pool lost that resource. They deserve better.
There is no point in dwelling on the mistakes that closed the pool. Even if construction had been perfect, the facility would have needed major repairs eventually. Nothing lasts forever.
Still, taxation carries responsibility. Public assets should benefit everyone. We enjoy our parks and walking paths “for free” because we already paid for them. Pools are different. They are costly to run and must charge use fees. We encourage the city to seek grants or other funding to help low-income families afford access.
Vote “yes” on Proposition 2. Let’s bring back the pool that helps make Othello a better place to live.
