Regional Water Safety Training Center-Empire Community Pool

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The Regional Water Safety Training Center – Empire Community Pool was inspired by a tragedy that occurred in July of 2003, when three young brothers drowned in the nearby Tuolumne River. Following the tragedy, a grassroots effort began shortly thereafter and brought together local community stakeholders for the common purpose of raising enough funds to assist with the financing of a community swimming pool in Empire. The Empire Pool Committee was formed under the auspices of the Stanislaus Community Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, for the purposes of beginning the fund raising campaign for this effort. The project was funded by a $1,000,000 grant from the State of California Urban Parks and Healthy Communities 2002 Resources Bond Act, $1,000,087 from the Tobacco Tax Fund, $496,038 in Public Facility Fees; a $200,000 grant from the Stewardship Council and $165,000 from community driven fundraising efforts reflecting a true public-private partnership. After community design forums, the design was completed. The facility includes a 5 lane 25 yard pool and a 706 square foot recreational spray playground. The pool’s final design integrated two key concepts recommended by the community: swimming lessons and family recreation.