Swimmers and their parents told the council on Monday that they already helped pay for the pool, which is expected to open this season. If rent costs too much, they said they won't be able to swim there. Members of the Missoula Aquatic Club said a price hike will hurt families' pocketbooks and could compromise the team's training if it prices them out.
“It's us as parents who have to make this up,” said Jo May Salonen, a MAC board member.
Salonen said the team doesn't expect prices to remain static, but it can't afford a nearly 100 percent increase in a matter of just a couple years. She said going from $46 an hour to $96 an hour wouldn't work.
“We already have some families who are struggling to pay their monthly fees,” she said.
Lauren Fern, a parent of swimmers, asked the council to consider all the other money coming into the community from swim meets. With an Olympic-sized pool, families from other cities and states - and even from Canada - show up in Missoula and spend money.
She said the city should consider the costs for the sake of Missoula's children.
“We've got some real quality swimmers,” she said.
Some, maybe, but perhaps not all are bound for the Olympics.
Susan Moriarity Miltko said her children aren't the fastest swimmers, but they do appear to be among the folks most eager for the outdoor pool to open.
“They drive by every day and they cannot wait to get in that water,” she said.
They helped raise money to open the Splash Montana pool, and she does not want to have to tell them they can't use it.
A council committee takes up the matter 9 a.m. this Wednesday in the council chambers and is expected to take a final vote April 14.
Swimmers seemed to be singing a bit of the blues to the council, but the Missoula Mendelssohn Club actually did belt out a tune in the chambers. They sang to support Mayor John Engen pronouncing April 12, 2008, International Choral Festival Day.
“Montana, I love you,” they sang.
From 1987 to 2006, the festival has welcomed more than 5,000 singers from across the United States and from almost 40 countries to Missoula, according to Engen's proclamation.
In other business, the council approved 11-1 an amendment to the Windsor Park Special Zoning Districts 1 and 2 to allow stairs to encroach in frontyard setbacks. Ward 5 Councilwoman Renee Mitchell cast the only opposing vote.
Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262 or at Keila.Szpaller@missoulian.com.
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