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EDITORS NOTE: The second most significant story of 2024 is the uncertain future of the Cañon City swimming pool following the passage of only two out of three ballot measures.
In 2024, following a closely contested Election Day that lasted several days to conclude, voters in Cañon City approved ballot measures 2A and 6B, permitting a 0.30% increase in sales tax and bonds for the replacement of the R.C. Icabone Swimming Pool.
Conversely, voters declined 6A, which aimed to implement a 4-mill property tax increase to support its operations.
The pool’s construction hinges on voter endorsement of a mill levy increase to finance its operations, stated Kyle Horne, the executive director of the Cañon City Area Recreation and Park District. He noted that the mill levy increase question may be presented to voters again in November 2025.
Meanwhile, the 0.30% sales tax approved by voters for constructing the pool is poised to commence on January 1. Should the pool project not move forward, the city will propose to voters how to redistribute the sales tax.
Conversations regarding the suggested facility will persist into 2025, with the next meeting of the recreation board scheduled for 7 p.m. on January 14 at 575 Ash St. During this session, an intergovernmental agreement between the city and the recreation district may also be discussed.
In a prior interview, City Administrator Ryan Stevens assured that if a pool is constructed, it will be the aquatic facility the community opted for: an indoor recreational and program pool alongside an outdoor leisure pool, with the recreational pool accessible throughout the year.
“The voters chose the 24.8 million option,” he stated.
Before the election, Angela Evagash, representative for the Cañon City Piranha Swim Team remarked the team could cease to exist if the pool isn’t replaced, as training in Florence is not a viable long-term remedy.
For the previous two summers, the team, comprised of children from Fremont County aged 6 and above, has trained in Florence. They lack diving blocks for practice starts and possess only one designated lap lane, compared to the six available at Icabone, she noted.
“Florence’s pool is smaller than the Icabone pool and has limited resources, space, and time slots available for our team,” Evagash stated, adding that Icabone had served as the team’s base for nearly 60 years.
Evagash emphasized that the Arkansas River is not an ideal location for learners or those aiming to enhance their swimming capabilities.
“A pool provides a secure, controlled swimming environment,” Evagash explained. “Open water is unpredictable, has no supervision, and there is a significant risk for drowning-related fatalities. My son is a proficient swimmer, and I feel considerably safer with him swimming in a pool rather than a river or lake.”
Earlier this year, a survey was distributed to registered voters in the district to assess support for the new swimming pool facility. In a city council meeting in September, an architectural firm disclosed the conclusive results of the Swimming Pool Feasibility Study.
“We conducted extensive surveying and engaged with various stakeholder groups throughout the community,” remarked Bob McDonald, senior principal at Ohlson Lavoie Corp. “There is substantial community support for a new aquatic center, and there is indeed a deficiency of aquatic facilities within the service area.”
While some voters supported all three ballot measures, others did not. Prior to the election, resident Sandi Montague Wimmer expressed her intention to vote “no” on the measures.
“The reason that (my husband and I) oppose a pool is due to our taxes,” she told an audience during a public meeting about the pool. “We manage nine rental properties in this town, and it’s going to cost an additional $500 a year. We cannot handle increased taxes. I believe there should be a pool; I just don’t think it should cost $24 million. I believe there should be some facility, but not in this manner.”
The R.C. Icabone Swimming Pool has been closed since May 2023 due to safety issues.
Top 10 Countdown
No. 10. Fremont County school districts expanding, enhancing with construction initiatives
No. 9. Segment of Main Street building collapses
No. 8. City of Florence settles legal disputes
No. 7. Law enforcement engages in manhunts within Cañon City
No. 6. Abbey Event Center ceases operations
No. 5. Disbarred District Attorney Linda Stanley’s influence on several cases
No. 4. Jeff Lindsey assumes office post Linda Stanley’s disbarment
No. 3. Penrose funeral home proprietors admit guilt to 190 counts of corpse abuse
No. 2. The uncertain destiny of the Cañon City swimming pool
No. 1. Tuesday
Originally Published:
This page was generated automatically; to view the article in its original context, you can visit the link below:
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