Mission Valley Aquatics turns 10
KRISTI NIEMEYER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 5 months AGO
Cora Nation chases bubbles during Saturday's 10th anniversary celebration at Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Around 35 runners head for the hills during the Fish out of Water Fun Run, held Saturday during Mission Valley Aquatics 10th anniversary celebration. The Polson Running Club hosted this 3.5- and 4.6-mile trail run. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Marguerite Brenner gives Bailee Hawkins a new look during the 10th anniversary celebration at Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness. Face-painting, in addition to free ice cream, yard games and, of course, swimming, were among the offerings. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
Kristi Niemeyer is editor of the Lake County Leader. She learned her newspaper licks at the Mission Valley News and honed them at the helm of the Ronan Pioneer and, eventually, as co-editor of the Leader until 1993. She later launched and published Lively Times, a statewide arts and entertainment monthly (she still publishes the digital version), and produced and edited State of the Arts for the Montana Arts Council and Heart to Heart for St. Luke Community Healthcare. Reach her at editor@leaderadvertiser.com or 406-883-4343. | June 15, 2023 12:00 AM
As runners headed for the hills in the Fish Out of Water Fun Run, coordinator Tana Seeley prepared to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mission Valley Aquatics and Fitness in Polson.
“it’s been 20 years for me,” said Seeley, who was part of a small, devoted group that began fundraising efforts in 2003. The pool opened in 2013, and Seeley continues to serve on its board of directors.
According to Seeley, Saturday’s event aimed to promote health, fitness and fun, while raising awareness of the facility and its many offerings. The celebration included free ice-cream served in bowls donated by Mountain Mud Frog Pottery, pulled pork and baked beans, door prizes, a bubble machine, face painting, yard games, a slip and slide and free swimming.
MVAF treasurer Jim Oates was also on hand to promote efforts to raise $1,000,000 for a maintenance fund and endowment for the center. So far, the effort has yielded $740,000.
“We sent out 600 letters the first of April to all our members. I had high expectations – but there was nothing for a week and then we got a $10 check,” he said, adding that contributions have picked up considerably since then.
Toni Altenburg has served as director of the facility for the past year under a management and maintenance agreement with Logan Health. She pointed out that MVAF is offering two sessions of summer camp with half-day and full-day options available.
In addition to swim lessons, camps include a menu of activities both indoors and out, including a museum visit, music lessons, games and physical fitness. Enrollment opens June 15.
Altenburg says the center is also looking at ways to broaden its appeal, including events for people 21 and older that could include movies, alcoholic beverages and pizza – “something to attract a younger population,” she said. “We want to engage families, our senior population and younger people.”
The pool’s resident swim team, the Lake Monsters, is also raising money with a sale of raffle tickets for trips. Proceeds help support the swim team and “make it more affordable for the kids who do it year around,” said Altenburg.
For more information on MVAF and its offerings, head to mvaquaticsfitness.com.
