Busy season for TF pool

It was a busy summer for the Thompson Falls City Pool. Manager Sandra Kazmierczak detailed the 2022 pool season for the city council at its meeting Monday.

Kazmierczak said the 10-week season from the June 13 opening to the August 19 closing was great. “We had a strong staff that interacted well with the public,” she noted. Mayor Mark Sheets commended how well the pool staff did despite challenges. Sheets noted that the pool ran on reduced hours due to a smaller number of lifeguard applicants. “I was very thankful to have such a great staff this year,” Kazmierczak said, adding that she was also thankful for the city staff, mayor and council for their support.

More than 3,700 swimmers used the Thompson Falls pool this year, including 1,143 in August, which Kazmierczak noted was the largest number for August that she has seen. She added that there was some bad weather in June and a few mechanical issues throughout the season, but that classes and programs were successful. The two aquasize classes averaged 10-18 people in each daily, and more than 110 children completed swimming lessons, which were taught by the lifeguards.

Resident Rusti Levistad, who was a regular at aquasize classes this year, also mentioned the new stairs that were installed to assist people getting into the pool. “That made a huge difference for a lot of people,” she noted.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the council approved a resolution to annex properties that are currently on the city water service but are not part of the city. At a public hearing earlier in the evening, one resident spoke against annexation and three residents had sent letters in support of the annexation. The council approved the resolution for the annexation unanimously.

Mayor Sheets updated the council on phases 1 and 2 of the sewer project. Razz Construction is nearing the end of its contract, with Sheets explaining there are three to four weeks left of contract days, “but there is still a lot to get finished up.” Sheets said there is no schedule for finishing up the first phases of the project, which includes connecting properties from Spruce Street west to the city wastewater system.

The next council meeting will be held Wednesday, October 12, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.