Crookston City and School Leaders Get 'Creative' in Keeping Pool Open

Crookston school and city leaders are trying to figure out a way to keep the city pool open.

"As all local government goes through challenging financial times, we're looking for unique and different ways of doing things," said Aaron Parrish, City Administrator for the City of Crookston.

For the City of Crookston, that means partnering with Crookston Public Schools.

"Allowing the district to maintain it's commitment to funding the pool," Parrish said.

By simply switching around a few things. The school district would pay more for the Crookston Sports Center but then could tax people to pay for it.

The city's proposal estimates that the tax impact on the average Crookston homeowner would be $7 a year.

"In exchange we would pay for more of the pool and relieve the school district of that obligation," said Parrish.

Which has become very difficult after a school levy referendum was voted down in the November election.

"It'll free up additional resources for them that will help their academic mission."

Parrish said this partnership is in the beginning phases, but hopes it will develop for a very specific reason.

"To maintain the quality of life that is very important to our community," he said.

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