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Pool fund takes in over $23,000; bid accepted
BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - The Highland County pool fund continued its speedy growth last month pushing total pledge and donation amounts to $160,000. Added to the $110,000 Virginia Outdoor Fund grant and the $100,000 grant for maintenance over four years the total money acquired for the project now totals $370,000.
Monday, recreation commission member Theresa Wagner, substituting for pool chair Maggie Cavell, reported a $20,000 grant from Bernie Carter was accepted in November. Also a pledge was made of up to $3,000 from Kevin and Cindy Whittig of farm equipment dealer Tractor Care in Harrisonburg.
Little over a year after the surge of fund-raising began, the commission shows little sign of slowing down. Wagner said The Homestead is sponsoring a golf tournament on May 4, 2008, for the pool and plans a skeet shoot next year as well.
Progress on the construction process is following the same pace. The bid for construction of the pool only from National Pools was accepted by the commission. The Highland County board of Supervisors has to approve the $239,000 contract to finalize the deal.
Preliminary support building plans are in progress and utility discussions with Allegheny Power and the Town of Monterey are under way. Grading will be finished and permits will be issued after an engineering survey is finalized.
The commission also discussed raising enthusiasm and involvement within the community by holding a donated items auction to benefit the pool and promoting a poster contest or something of the sort at the school level.
In other commission action:
• A motion was passed at the request of golf program director Don Ferrell to purchase golf clubs to help promote interest in the sport. "My goal is for folks to try golf out for free," he said noting next year they would be helpful for the spring golf workshop.
• Member Kathy Cobb reported the volleyball program will start in the spring rather than now due to the gym availability.
• Seniors director Sharon Doyle said the seniors went to Wood Grill on money they had raised from bingo, and trips would be slowing down due to gas prices. She received support from the commission of a senior trip to Elkins to the new American Mountain Theatre.
• The trip to the Shakespeare theatre in Staunton was enjoyed by 18 people, Wagner said. Interest of their continuation was expressed.
• Member and Mountain Mama chair Kirk Billingsley offered his resignation from the commission in order to focus on his new school board duties. It was accepted with deep regret. "You've been a valuable member of this organization. Certainly hate to see you go," said chair Sherry Sullenberger.
• Direction of the Mountain Mama Bike Challenge, recently ranked the fifth best century ride in the southeast by Blue Ridge Outdoors, was given to Summer Cohen with the suggestion of a three-person committee to assist. Billingsley offered to stay on in an advisory position for the challenge.
• Director Brian Parker expressed interest in moving the storage shed behind the ballfield to where it was supposed to go. "I've got it empty," he said.
Parker also said open gym for adults on Sunday will start soon and a youth basketball league playing Bath County is in the works.
The next meeting of the Highland recreation commission is Monday, December 17, at the High School.
Anyone wishing to make a donation or pledge to the pool can do so by mail at P.O. Box 428, Monterey, Va. 24465. All donations are tax-deductible and all major donation will be recognized in some form, according to Cavell.
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