CASPER, Wyo. — In 2014, Natrona County voters rejected a bond that would have raised money for a number of projects, including a new pool for Natrona County High School and renovations to Kelly Walsh High School and the Midwest School pools.
While the measure was rejected by voters, NCSD found other sources of funding to renovate the KWHS pool, and NCHS is preparing to celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the recently completed new natatorium. A crowd of Midwest teachers, students and residents asked the NCSD Board of Trustees Monday why the issues at their community pool have not been addressed.
Darla Linsday told administrators that the Midwest pool was drained in March after it was deemed unsafe to swim in this February. The pool has been closed due to a number of issues, from filters not being replaced to boiler issues and more.
With NCHS and KWHS getting pool upgrades and other projects, Midwest residents have wondered why NCSD can't find funding to repair or replace the Midwest School pool.
Bill Allemand, who recently beat incumbent Rep. Pat Sweeney in the Republican race for the 58th House District seat, said the Salt Creek Oil Field around the Midwest generates a high percentage of the tax revenue Natrona County enjoys.
He wondered why the Midwest community doesn't see more of that tax revenue invested back into the community.
“Our kids are just as good as Casper's kids, but we've always been treated like a third-world country,” Alleman said.
Allemand said he believes some of the revenue generated by Midwest should be returned to the community.
“All I'm saying is some of our dollars need to come home,” he said. “We put so many dollars into it and get nothing out of it.”
Sweeney also attended Monday's meeting and encouraged the school board to do something to revitalize the life of the pool.
Jamie Jones told the school board that several generations of his family have graduated from Midwest and learned to swim in the pool. The pool installation has a roof, boiler, paint, tank, lighting, chlorination and other issues. Failure to maintain the pool can mean the pool cannot be repaired, Jones suggested.
He said the community would be fine with a number of options to ensure it continues to have a pool, whether that be a replacement, rebuild or even downsizing.
“We're not that picky,” he said.
Some students talked about learning to swim in the pool in classes and going to the pool for other things like birthday parties.
“I learned to swim in kindergarten,” said a younger student. “I want my little sister to learn to swim now because she's in kindergarten.”
Paula Chapman said she will be a Midwest School employee for 40 years in March 2023. She said NCSD staff visited the school in January and Superintendent Mike Jennings received a three-ring binder detailing problems with the pool. He said the binder was apparently found left in a commuter vehicle and then returned to Midwest School shortly after NCSD administration visited.
Chapman said she served on a committee and helped promote the 2014 special bond election.
“Natrona voters voted against the bond, but NC and KW still have their seats,” Chapman said. “I guess the Midwest wasn't a priority and, nine years later, it still isn't a priority.
“Come on, please give the students in the Midwest what they deserve.”
Dozens of people urged the NCSD Board of Trustees to do something about the Midwest School pool during Monday's meeting. Comments can be heard on video of the meeting, which is underway from 8pm on Monday:
