Keota group seeks Washington County help on pool grant

A group in Keota is seeking help from Washington County to fund the construction of a new community swimming pool.

On Tuesday morning, Dan Flynn, representing the Keota Pool Advocates, asked the Washington County Board of Supervisors for a financial commitment from the county to help secure a state grant.

“We’re trying to raise $1.2 million for a new pool in Keota,” Flynn said. “We have about $500,000.”

Flynn said that the group is applying for a Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grant from the state of Iowa.

While the city of Keota sits predominantly in Keokuk County, the proposed site of the new pool at Lagos Acres Golf and Country Club sits in Washington County.

“We need some cash contribution from the city of Keota and from the county where the pool is located,” Flynn explained.

He added that no specific dollar amount was required for the county’s commitment.

“All we have to have is a commitment,” Flynn said.

He said that the group is in the process of filing for nonprofit status.

Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. said that he reviewed all the information and likened the request to projects that were done in Washington, Kalona and Wellman.

“Lagos Acres is in Washington County,” Seward said. “I’d give them the same consideration.”

He suggested that the county offer a $5,000 commitment to the effort to secure the grant.

“There would be a resolution that we would contribute at the proper time,” Seward said.

“We could do a letter of commitment for you to get that grant,” board Chairman Richard Young added.

Flynn said that the group would need the letter by the July 1 grant application deadline.

The city’s current pool closed in 2017 due to unsafe conditions, and a bond to pay for new pool was voted down last year.

The Keota Pool Advocates began a private fundraising effort and have received more than $300,000 in donations and commitments from local households and more than $120,000 from area businesses.

In addition, they have held several fundraisers from bake sale and auctions, which have raised more than $40,000 to date.