Grand Rapids Area Swimming Pool Needs Funding

Residents around Grand Rapids recently received notices explaining the dire need for funding for the Grand Rapids Area Swimming Pool.

The letter explained the challenge volunteers are having with maintenance and other expenses involved with the aging pool.

"The Grand Rapids Area Swimming Pool Board members wish to thank you for your continued support of our community pool throughout the years. Your generous contributions have allowed our 501(c) non-profit organization to keep the pool in operation, since its inception in 1968 (This will be our 55th season!).

This year we have some challenging news to share, we have come to a crossroads and have to make a decision on the future of the pool. The pool has been operating at a significant deficit over the last couple years and if this trend continues we will have no choice but to close the pool after the 2024 season. The cost of everything has been rising and sponsorship of the pool has declined significantly. Your support this year will help to guide us on where we go from here. Attached to this you will find a summary of our last few years profit and loss statement.

100% of your donations go to support the pool's daily operations such as chemicals, utilities, payroll, and necessary repairs/improvements to maintain the pools critical infrastructure. The pool board is a volunteer board that does not receive any compensation for our time or efforts. We strongly believe the pool is an important resource for our community as well as the surrounding areas and we are looking for your help to remain so.

As we enter the 2023 season we need your support now more than ever. The memberships and day passes only cover a small portion of our expenses and we need sponsors/ donations from you to help us make up the difference so that we can keep the pool open for this season and future seasons as well. If you would like to support the pool, please fill out the Sponsorship form and send it to the address listed below.

Thank you all again for your support of our pool and we look forward to a successful 2023 season.

Sincerely,

GRASP Board

P.S. We are also in need of board members and volunteers, the board meets the third Tuesday of every month in the Grand Rapids Library at 7pm. Please feel free to just show up or email, call, or text any of the board members for more information on how you can help."

You can link up to the pool via Facebook at Facebook.com/GRASP2020.