St. Helena Swim Team

Save Our Pool

Historical Timeline of the St. Helena Community Pool

Feb 1966	St. Helena Unified School District holds a $1,150,000 school expansion bond election to include construction of a "community swimming pool" to provide "a well-rounded swimming program ... available to all in the community". The pool was to be on the school grounds and the School District was to maintain and supervise its use.
1968	Pool completed
1970	Pool used by the School District as well as community based programs including Red Cross Swim Instruction, City of St. Helena Recreation Department, and the St. Helena Swim Club. During the summer months, the City Recreation Department was billed for maintenance by the School District and to pass these costs on to other users.
Late 70's	Increasing pool maintenance costs and Prop 13 related budget constraints cause the School Early District to take another look at the Pool. Some Trustees and administrators see it as an Albatross putting a severe strain on School resources. Right or wrong, most users are community based programs rather than school based. Amid much public protest, and a nagging leak problem, some to suggest the best solution is to fill the pool with sand.
1983	School Board grants a use permit to the St. Helena Swim Club whereby the pool may be used from March 15 through August 15 during non school hours. The Swim Club is responsible to reimburse the School District for directly incurred costs (utilities, chemicals etc.). The District retains responsibility to repair the leak. As the lead agency, the swim club accepts responsibility to make the pool available to Red Cross and City Recreation and bill their pro rata share.
1987	Pool closure threatened due to upgrade required by County health officers. A committee with representatives of Swim Club, Red Cross and City Recreation has evolved as the agency to replace the Swim Club as the interface with School District. This committee, with community and School support, raise $6000 to fix the leak and upgrade the gas chlorine system. Napa Valley Masters (adult swim program) joined the original three user groups.
1988	The Users Board formalizes itself, develops By Laws, Articles and incorporates as St. Helena Community Pool, Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation.
1989	St. Helena Community Pool Inc. receives 501c(3) tax deductible status by the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board.
1990	Pool use was at an all time high. The 4 major user groups used the pool a total of 802 hours from Feb 1 through October 1. Recreational swimming had attendance of 2623 swimmers. Severe and recurring filter breakdowns became a major problem in July and August. By season end it was clear that the pool wouldn’t open in 1991 without major repairs.
1991-2000	Pool is operating mainly with minor repairs. User groups continue to be the Red Cross, Masters, St. Helena Swim Club and Recreational swimming.
2000-2004	The St. Helena Swim Team, Red Cross, Masters and the Recreation Department continue to use the pool. The pool is open to the public during the summer 5 days a week and community use is high. The pool continues to fail with a large leak repaired in 2002, and multiple filtration, heating and electrical problems occurring almost annually. The pool Board votes in 2003 that the cost of repairing the failing pool is becoming too expensive and the next large repair will result in closure of the pool. This is brought to the attention of the City Council with the pool placed as a top priority in the long term goals of the city and the city agrees to supplement the pool board $15,000 annually.

Preliminary Plan for the St. Helena Aquatic Complex

Why do we need a new pool complex?

Our pool is almost forty years old which is the lifespan of this type of pool
The plumbing is failing
There is no facility for small children
There are no restrooms
Swimming programs are limited due to size of pool

What will the new Aquatic Complex include?
          Pools:
                    8 lane Lap Pool with a diving area (current pool has 6 lanes)
                    Recreation pool for small children

          Features of the recreational pool:
                    Play feature
                    Mushroom
                    Buckets
                    Slide and Tower

          Buildings:
                   Boys and Girls Bathrooms
                   Out door showers
                   Office

Total cost: 2.7 million

What is the Pool Board Doing to raise funds?

Approaching local businesses for sponsorship and donations
Approaching service clubs for support
Preparing a residential letter writing campaign
Planning various fundraisers that will occur throughout the year
Writing grants for special funding
Planning a wine auction on winebid.com

How can you help?

We hope you will consider making a large donation to this project.
Support our cause in the community.
Volunteer your time for our cause. If interested, call Margaret Twohey at

963-9169 or email her at Margaret@whitings.com

More information will be sent to you regarding financial support. The campaign for the new St. Helena Aquatic Center is sponsored by the St. Helena Community Pool, Incorporation which is a non profit corporation established in 1988, tax ID # 68-0159277.