%20%E2%80%93%20White.png)
About Us
Building community through aquatics
At PACE, we strive to provide the resources needed to create this trnasformational project for our community. Having an aquatic complex of this scale will provide a vibrant hub for community interaction, fostering connections among residents of all ages. By combining these plans with the Field of Dreams, Ponderay will have a comprehensive community neighborhood that promotes social cohesion, health, and success. These ideals ultimately align with our core values of:
Safety, opportunity, and education
Love and respect for each other
A work and community environment, that promotes teamwork, integrity, and growth
Creating a sustainable space that works to utilize resources as efficiently as possible
Commitment to sustainability and accessibility
We prioritize being responsible stewards of our surroundings and ensuring that the facility will be available to everyone. Our aquatic center will serve as a model for sustainable practices while ensuring accessibility for all community members.
Sustainable practices
Ice rinks produce excess heat, which can be transferred to the aquatic center, creating efficiency in energy consumption and utilization for both facilities.
Architectural plans will have a focus on sustainability, including energy efficiency and building materials.
Inclusive Design
Our facility will accommodate individuals of all abilities through the inclusion of features such as accessible pool lifts, restrooms, locker rooms, and showers.
The leisure pool's 86–88°F temperature will provide a more comfortable experience for senior individuals and those with disabilities.
Our Team
Meet the dedicated professionals committed to expanding Ponderay's community wellness.
Watersports began as a prevalent part of Mike's childhood summers, continued through lifeguarding during undergrad, to cheering from a pool deck for his 3 swim team children, to rehabilitation and fitness in his current life. His desire is to provide our community the access to aquatics he has always enjoyed.
Greg Jackson has coached swimming in Sandpoint for 16 years, serving as head coach for the past 8. He led the girls’ team to three state titles and the boys to one. A former Sandpoint and Linfield College swimmer, he’s coached at all levels and owns Insight Restoration, specializing in disaster recovery.
Joan identifies as a fish and safety queen. Living by beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, she feels it is very important that we all know not only how to have fun, exercise, and rehabilitate in the water but also how to be safe in all forms of water activity. She wants to help make this a reality.
FAQs
We have provided a list of frequently asked questions that our supporters commonly want answered.
The City of Ponderay has a vision and the space at the “Field of Dreams” that would facilitate the development of this amazing aquatic/recreation complex. The City has made a commitment to build an ice arena (with the assistance of NIICE). The significant heat generated maintaining ice provides energy efficiency when paired with an aquatic and recreation center.
PACE was formed as an independent 501(c)(3) organization to develop and maintain aquatics. We consulted a nationally recognized recreational organization to provide a feasibility study for aquatics and recreational needs. Their suggestions included meeting rooms, an indoor walking track, indoor courts including pickleball, and a number of other activities.
There are multiple steps in the development of an aquatics facility. We have very recently completed our website, corporate structure and mechanism for fundraising. We anticipate 12 months of fundraising. Then 12 months to hire and complete architectural plans. Lastly 24 to 36 months to contract a builder, complete all permitting processes and finish the project. During that entire timeline we anticipate assisting in the development of personnel and infrastructure for a safe and magnificent facility.
Donations are accepted on this website's Support the Pool page or by mail at PO Box 1002, Ponderay, ID 83852. A 501(3)(c) recipient will be provided. We anticipate significant volunteer needs. We have initiated our fundraising campaign within our local community. We will soon announce a community meeting for questions and face to face comments. Soon we will look to obtain national and regional grants. The board members can be contacted through the contact form at the bottom of the page or through our email account, info@ponderayaquatics.org.
Our 5 board members are passionate about aquatics. We are volunteers and are not paid for our time and expertise.
Still have questions?
Reach out to us for further information about our project.
Connect with us
Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to know more about the project.