POLSON - Members of the Mission Valley Aquatics board of directors met Monday to discuss plans and funding options for the community pool campaign, which is in full swing now that sunshine and warm weather have returned to Lake County.

Project Director Tana Seeley and the Board of Directors at MVA are working hard towards reaching the goal of $7.4 million to build the aquatics center. Funds raised to date total $2.8 million or 38 percent of the total funding goal. Once they reach 50 percent, the board will be able to begin to seek a number of larger and fund-matching grants.

According to the website, MVA currently has 2.5 acres donated for the facility (on Highway 93 just south of Polson) and three anonymous pledges (two for $1 million each and one for $250,000). In addition, they have numerous individual pledges.

While the new and improved website (www.mvaquatics.org) currently displays a floor plan and computer drawings of the proposed facility, the design is not yet finalized and community input is encouraged.

"Once we get closer to 50 percent of our funding, we will really crack down on the little things that will go into the design," Seeley said. "It just depends on the funding and how far it all goes."

Designed by a team of professionals, this top-of-the line facility will include an eight lane, 25-yard pool for lap swimming and competition. This pool will meet the specifications for high school state swim meets and will serve as a sports and fitness resource for members. A shallow entry activity pool, which will be the place for fun and fitness at the center will be a zero-entry pool gradually leading to a maximum depth of 4 1/2 feet. This warmer pool is designed for swim instruction and water aerobics and will be equipped with a slide and spray features.

Also in the design, a separate warm water therapy pool with average temperatures of 95° to 102° will serve the community's health and fitness needs, primarily to be used for physical therapy and relaxation.

A mil levy, which passed in January of 2008 for the recreation district with boundaries extending from Big Arm to Yellow Bay and Minesinger Road, won't go into affect until construction of the facility begins. The levy should cover two-thirds of the operating and maintenance fees necessary to run the facility, but the remaining third will come from user fees and membership.

"That's something that we always want people to be aware of," Seeley said. "Nobody is being taxed, it's waiting there until construction begins."

MVA will have to rely on the greater community to provide the funds necessary to build the facility, which is being built with an emphasis on "community." It will be open to the public and everyone will be charged the same daily user fee whether they are paying the tax or not. There will be a discount on seasonal or yearly passes for those within the recreation district's boundaries.

"We hope many of those who are paying the tax will see the benefit of this facility increasing the value of their community," the website said.

The indoor facility will provide safe year-round recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages. Aquatic programming will provide education, health, fitness, and recreational enjoyment.

Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains provide the stage and backdrop for the group's main fundraiser, Water Daze, a one-mile swim race from Salish Point to Boettcher Park slated for August 7. The race will start at 1 p.m., with registration taking place from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is also available online at www.mvaquatics.org.