Swimming in the park has moved another step closer to reality in Superior.

Thanks to a $5,000 grant from Blackfoot, the Pool in the Park committee and the Mineral County Community Foundation have hired a noted grant writer in its bid to seek funding for the $2.2 million project to construct a new community swimming pool on the southeast corner of Eva Horning Park.

The grant from the regional communications company was presented by Blackfoot district representative Geoff Wilson, and has been matched by a $10,000 grant from the Foundation.

Those funds have allowed the project’s backers to sign a contract with Denyse Traeder of MC Grant Works to pursue financial resources for the proposed new pool.

The current pool has been deemed unusable due to cracks and plumbing problems and is not scheduled to re-open this summer. Plans call for the replacement structure to include a six or seven lane Olympic size pool and support structures such as locker and changing rooms.

Together with a gift from the Woodhouse Foundation, the new funds enabled project leaders to hire Traeder, who was instrumental in securing grants to make improvements to and expansion of Mineral Regional Hospital in 2016.

Cheryl Crabb, chairwoman of the Pool in the Park committee said the moves help make “the dream of a new pool become more like a reality.”

Committee members and others supporters continue to seek donations through a variety of fund-raising efforts throughout the county.

Among those fund-raising efforts are Bingo events, raffles, 5k fun runs and more.

The next scheduled fund generator, a “Bingo for Baked Goods” evening is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Superior Elementary School gym.