In late January, a group of Crookston Community Pool supporters joined together to form a committee titled Fin & Fit Crookston, registered under Crookston Aquatic Boosters’ 501c3 enrollment. The two primary areas the committee is working to address are: Promoting
Awareness and Usage of the pool and assisting in efforts to keep the pool Financially Sustainable. With the past COVID crisis, followed by sporadic closures, we felt it important to place time and energy into “resurrecting” the Crookston Community Pool.
The committee’s first formal fund-raising event, a Pool A Thon, was held on April 20, 2024, at the Crookston Community Pool and brought back new energy and excitement for what the pool offers Crookston citizens. The Fin & Fit Crookston Committee couldn’t be more pleased! The participation results were outstanding. The participants and results from the event included-
– 1 satellite swimmer (from down under, Australia)
– 5 lifeguards
– 35 volunteers
– 45 swimmers/water walkers
– Many spectators and lunch visitors
– $15,000 was raised
– 60 children/adults enjoyed the open swim that followed the Pool A Thon
Pam Ecklund, a Fin & Fit Committee member, as a memory tribute to her late husband, Ray Ecklund (former Crookston Parks and Recreation Director) sponsored the two-hour Open Swim. The pool is 44 years old…and because of that, there have been issues. But the good news is the pool is currently functional, well-managed, properly maintained, operational, and used by many.
Fin & Fit Crookston believes that a well-functioning, dependable pool is a necessary, viable and helpful resource for the people of the Crookston area and surrounding communities.
As a tax-based entity, it serves a broad base of people because it is:
- Available year-round.
- Able to be used by all ages and all abilities.
- Affordable to all socio-economic levels.
- Provides employment opportunities.
- Of great importance, our children and grandchildren are taught to swim (a lifesaving life skill), while also learning about water safety.
With the financial restraints the City of Crookston has been facing in recent years, Fin & Fit Crookston is seeking a viable solution to keep the pool as financially sustainable as possible. Through clear communication advocacy, along with seeking financial resources, our plan is to raise funds for future items that the Crookston Community Pool may need to remain open to serve our community.
On behalf of the Fin & Fit Committee, they have offered a great big “THANK YOU.”
- To all who volunteered, not only on that day but in the weeks leading up to the event. Much planning, preparing, and soliciting was needed to accomplish our goals. The time, energy, and effort to make this event a success was incredible!
- To the individuals and businesses who donated, sponsored, and gifted, your generosity is valued and greatly appreciated!
- To the participants, the swimmers, and walkers…they could not have done it without you!
- To the Crookston City Pool Leadership. Thank you for your willingness to facilitate, coordinate, and support all the needed details…it was noticed!
Fin & Fit Crookston Committee
