Splish, Splash: White Salmon’s on the pool task - final funding in site; Donors need to take the dive
Architectural renderings of the White Salmon Public Swimming pool entrance
White Salmon, Wash., Jan. 16, 2026 — After years without a public swimming pool, the White Salmon is nearing a long-anticipated milestone, according to Shaela Sauter of the White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District. With more than $6 million raised - they are getting close to the 80 % of total funds needed which will trigger the beginning of construction.
Sauter said the absence of a public pool has affected local families, schools and regional swim programs by limiting access to recreation, swim lessons and relief during hot summer months. She said residents responded by organizing a long-running campaign to build a new community pool intended to serve people of all ages across the White Salmon Valley.
Architectural renderings of the White Salmon Public Swimming pool
Sauter said the project has reached a critical stage, with the district now close to securing the final funding needed to break ground on the new pool in 2026. She said the progress reflects years of grassroots fundraising, grant applications, voter-approved funding measures and partnerships within the community. Learn more here.
Architectural renderings of the White Salmon Public Swimming pool
Funding details provided by Lily von Mosch, a member of the district’s board of commissioners, show that $5,761,655 had been secured by the project’s fundraising kickoff in September 2025. Von Mosch said that total includes Recreation and Conservation Office grants, bond funding, a tax levy, and prior public and private donations and pledges.
Architectural renderings of the White Salmon Public Swimming pool
Von Mosch said additional momentum has come from the district’s current “Jump-In” winter fundraising campaign. Jump-In donations and pledges total $121,303 to date and have been matched dollar-for-dollar through a community pledge match, bringing the campaign’s total impact to $242,606.
With those funds included, total project funding now stands at $6,004,763, according to von Mosch.
Architectural renderings of the White Salmon Public Swimming pool
Von Mosch said that if the full $250,000 community match is fulfilled this winter, total funding for the project will reach nearly $6.3 million, positioning the district to move forward with construction next year.
Sauter said the pool project represents a community-driven investment in public health, safety and long-term recreational infrastructure in a rural area.
The White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District is governed by a five-member board of commissioners: Jim Polston, Lily von Mosch, Ben Briggs, Karen Boroughs and Steve Harris.
For more information or interview requests, inquiries may be directed to capitalcampaign@whitesalmonvalleypool.org.
