City makes 11th hour push for pools

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - By around noon Wednesday, Grand Rapids City Commissioner James White figured he had called about 19 churches, hoping congregations will donate directly, take up collections or spread the word about the effort to open two city pools this summer.

He has more than 200 churches on his list.

The effort aims to raise $175,000 by the end of next week to open the pools at Martin Luther King Park on the city's southeast side and Briggs Park on the northeast side. The pool at Richmond Park, on the west side, is slated to open thanks to donations from businessman Bob Sullivan.

Along with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, commissioners, including White, are scrambling to raise the money in nine days.

"But think about it for a minute," White told 24 Hour News 8. "We have 120,000 registered voters. If only 20,000 give $10 each, we've got it made."

While White, an associate pastor at Brown Hutcherson Ministries, reaches out to the church community, other backers are spreading the word elsewhere.

"I was on the radio at 7 a.m. and then I started putting calls in to individuals who have given in the past," Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss told 24 Hour News 8.

Supporters also plan to talk with young professionals groups -- and utilize social media sites, such as Facebook.

Creston Neighborhood Association Executive Director Deborah Eid said her group will help let residents know about the effort.

"We want to market this community," Eid said. "It's a terrific community. And having pools for our young people and our families to enjoy in the summertime -- it's huge."

Finding the funds to open city pools has been a perennial problem. And Bliss said there are efforts to look at the long term.

"That, I think, is the most important part," she said. "Because I don't want to be in this position again next year."

The plan is to put together a team, including representatives from the business community, to look at how the pools could be run more efficiently. The team will look at raising funds through concessions or entrance fees, Bliss said. And it will examine whether it makes sense to have an outside group run the pools.

As for this year's effort, Bliss and White said they are hopeful.

Speaking on the phone to a church representative midday Wednesday, White said, "I think we're going to get there."

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People who want to donate can do so online through Friends of Grand Rapids Parks or send a check with "pools" in the memo line to the city treasurer's office. If supporters do not reach their goal, donors' money will be returned, organizers said Tuesday.