Mission Valley Aquatic’s $5.2 million aquatic center in Polson is asking the valley to pull together in the final stretch of their fundraising efforts to make the 50-year pool project a reality.

“People know that we are building a pool, but it has been happening for so long that people don’t realize how far along it is,” MVA Aquatic Director, Ali Brondson, said. “We are on track to finish this November and need that last push and hope people will come together to help with construction costs.”

That last push adds up to about $1 million in construction costs. So far MVA raised $3.3 million since the nonprofit organization started in 2002. A mill levy passed in 2008 to cover the cost of running the facility and two anonymous residents donated $1 million each.

The 22,000-square-foot facility will feature a main pool that has eight 25-yard lanes, an 18-by-23-foot warm water therapy pool, a lobby and locker room. The estimated cost of admission will be based on the cost at Currents Aquatic Center in Missoula, about $3.75 for children and $5.50 for adults from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Although the facility will be located in Polson, near the intersections of Montana 35 and 93, about 25 minutes from Bigfork and 30 from Lakeside, Brondson and MVA Project Director Tana Seeley emphasized that it will not be the “Polson pool” but a community pool for everyone.

“We really want this to be a valley-wide place, and with Polson at the end of the lake it seemed like a great place for everyone to get to,” Brondson said.

According to Seeley and Brondson, the Rotary Club of Polson has pledged $100,000 toward the facility and is holding a chili cook-off at Riverside in Polson on Aug. 25. Then on Sept. 20 the Polson Chamber of Commerce’s Splash will be held at MVA.

MVA is also hosting a “Fill the pool bowl by bowl” dinner and auction on Nov. 10. Soup will be served in bowls painted by people from all around Flathead Lake. Then guests will bid on donated items such as passes to Blacktail Ski Area, and bigger items such as a trip for two to Los Angeles to be special guests on FOX’s NFL pre-game show.

Brondson said they hope to hold the auction online as well as in-person for those who want to contribute and bid but are unable to attend.

Although businesses, organizations, and individual citizens have already contributed to the project, Brondson said it has been a challenge dealing with community skepticism about the project due to its 50-year history of previous attempts at making a community pool.

“We’re hoping other areas will come together for this project since everyone will be using it,” Brondson said.

Levy funds have been collected since 2008 but can’t go toward construction costs. Because of this, MVA already has enough funding to operate the facility for the first two years.

“We’re not worried about the future, just trying to get through the last phase of construction,” Brondson said. “It is going to invite everyone for different types of programs, swim lessons, water aerobics, and above all be a place everyone can feel comfortable coming to.”

For more information about MVA or to make a contribution, go to mva quatics.org or call 883-4567.