NORTH BEND - Since it was constructed in 1957, the North Bend Municipal Pool has become an important part of the community, offering a place to exercise, play and study the fundamentals of swimming.

But as the pool and its facilities approach its 50th anniversary, operators are seeking help from patrons to maintain its position in the community in the best form possible.

The Save Our Pool Project, a community-based effort that involves patrons and city staff, is attempting to raise more than $1 million through fundraisers, grants and community support to repair the facility's roof, improve bathrooms to meet ADA requirements, and to complete myriad cosmetic improvements.

“Everything is getting a little bit older,” said Aquatics Director Chris Richmond, who has worked at the city pool since 1994. Richmond also is in an advisory position for the Save Our Pool Project. “Being a 50-year-old building that has to be heated and water supplied to it, with day-to-day maintenance, it's kind of crumbling around us.”

The biggest problem is the 12,500-square-foot building's roof, Richmond said, which has rotted in portions and cannot support its annual dose of South Coast rain. After a storm, torrents of rain water pour off the roof rather than funneling through gutters and downspouts. He said the cost of repairing the roof alone could be about $50,000, adding it makes more sense to launch a wave of improvements in one go to limit disruptions to the groups who use the pool.

“Once we start changing things, we have to go through and do everything,” Richmond said, adding he believes the community is and will continue to support the pool. “I think this pool is such an asset to the community that they don't want to lose it.”

So far, $117,000 has been raised since the Save Our Pool Project began, and some repairs have been made as money has rolled in, including a new boiler and heating unit. This figure comes from several large donations, fundraisers and the generosity of the community, he said.

“I think it's impressive that we've only been doing it a year,” Richmond said of the effort. “We're not going to stop. We're going to just move forward until we can do as much as we can.”

Construction is expected to be broken into two phases, with restroom remodeling, exterior and mechanical repairs slated first. If funds still are available, the building will get a new atrium and lobby, as well as a physical therapy and weight room. Richmond said plans also call for a sauna and hydrotherapy pool.

If repairs are not made, Richmond said he fears the pool eventually will be closed.

“I don't think people would let that happen,” Richmond said.

Walking through the facility as a group of children played in the pool's blue waters, Richmond said the 250,000-gallon pool is in good condition, and while the building isn't in total disrepair, he believes it needs help draw new and continuing patrons for years to come.

“I'm kind of a baling-wire; duct-tape kind of a guy. I keep things going one way or the other,” Richmond said.

Juana Bell, the finance director and grant writer for the city of North Bend, said the Save Our Pool Project has made strides in raising money for the pool, but still has some way to go to achieve all of the repairs and remodeling necessary. She said organizers are trying to raise a total of $213,000, as an incentive to foundations to donate to the cause. She explained that most foundations like to see a support base before handing over grant money. The city will match some of the funds, depending on how much is raised, to ensure that the project is a success, she said.

“The foundations want to see the local support. They want to see you put your money where your mouth is,” Bell said, noting that the figure represents about 20 percent of the total cost of the project. Funds already raised include $25,000 and $40,000 grants from the Coquille Tribal Community Fund.

“This is a very pivotal thing in this area,” Bell said of the municipal pool, describing how many individuals and groups use it, from the U.S. Coast Guard, which trains in its waters; to older patrons who take aquatic fitness classes. She said the pool also is a tool to fight obesity, since people of all ages can be active at the site.

Wendy Biciunas of Coos Bay said she didn't know much about the fundraising effort, but believes the pool is an important outlet for her two home-schooled children.

“I think it's the greatest pool around for kids. It's just a great family pool. There's something for every age,” Biciunas said.

She said she and her family visit the indoor pool several times a month and more often when her children take lessons. While she has no complaints about the facilities, she said she can see where an update is necessary.

“I think they are adequate, but they are old, so I don't know how much life is left in them.”

For more information about the Save Our Pool Project, those interested can call 756-8500.