ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) —
Citing a $650,000 budget deficit and critical maintenance issues, YWCA of Asheville announced Monday that its historic swimming pool will temporarily close for the rest of 2024 starting June 28.
In a news release, CEO Diana Sierra cited “significant financial challenges” and said the organization had to make “difficult decisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs and services.”
That includes temporarily closing the pool on June 28, when long-serving Aquatics Director Kitty Schmidt is retiring after 25 years.
In an interview, Sierra said the pool has critical maintenance needs, including ceiling repairs, a 10-year resurfacing and humidity mitigation measures. The YWCA plans to consult a structural engineer to determine the final scope and costs.
Depending on the level of repair needed, it could cost $150,000 to $300,000 based on one preliminary estimate.
In a “very difficult financial climate…we don’t have the cash reserves to get the job done,” Sierra said.
She said the organization also is navigating severe financial challenges due to inflation, shifts in funding priorities and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. That caused them to hit “pause” on the aquatics program and make an appeal to the community to help restore a program that has helped so many.
“Our hope is to galvanize our community and fundraise,” and also explore grant funding or loans, Sierra said.
According to YWCA documents, the pool in the South French Broad Avenue building opened in 1974, YWCA Marketing and Communications Director Catalina Slater said.
“However, our swim legacy is older than this pool and starts at our two branches before being integrated at this facility.”
The facility has an important place in Asheville’s cultural history, as a place where YWCA’s once-separate Black and white aquatics programs first integrated. Today, they take pride in it being a safe, welcoming and reaffirming place for people of all backgrounds.
“The YWCA pool has been a pillar of our community, providing vital swimming education and recreational opportunities to all, regardless of financial or physical barriers,” Sierra said in a release. “We understand the significant impact this closure will have, and we are committed to reopening a stronger facility.”
The temporary closure will affect lifeguards, part-time instructors and volunteers, some of whom are being furloughed or offered front desk jobs. YWCA officials said they’re trying to do all they can to keep the aquatics team together for the planned reopening in January 2025 — a popular time of year at what they call “the warmest pool in town.”
“We’re hoping to reopen in time for winter, which is important for us,” Sierra said. “But it’s going to depend on the level of repair that’s needed.”
“It just depends on what they find,” Slater said. “It’s a historic pool, so we just won’t know until we get that assessment.”
Slater said the YWCA has 583 members, including 467 swim lesson participants.
“Most of our students are children but this will include some adults,” Slater said.
The pool serves a big cross-section of the community, Slater said.
“It’s a mix of the children in our care, community members and scholarship recipients,” Slater said.
Sierra said the pool is a place for everyone — Black, brown, white, LGBTQIA+.
“People in our community tell us they feel safe swimming in our pool,” Sierra said. “So, these repairs, we want to do it right. We hope our future swimmers thank us for the decisions we made today,” Sierra said.
People wanting to make contributions may click here. They also encouraged people to share their story with friends, families and colleagues.
A celebration of retiring aquatics director Schmidt will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 21, at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville.