LEWISTON — Donations from the public have allowed the city to remove admission fees for the Kennedy Park pool for at least the remainder of this summer.
Lewiston Finance Director Heather Hunter shared the news following public comment at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, in which a few residents spoke out against the pool fees.
Starting this year, the pool began charging $1 for Lewiston residents and $2 for nonresidents, but many in the community argued that even $1 is hard to come by for children living in the mostly low-income downtown neighborhoods.
A Sun Journal article earlier this month led to a heavy public discussion over the issue, and donations from both residents and businesses have since rolled in to City Hall.
Hunter said there have been about a dozen donations so far, with a few “substantial” donations enough to remove the fee system until the pool closes on Aug. 18. One was in the range of about $900, she said.
The city recently rolled out its own webstore on its website, making it easier for people to make donations.
City officials had said the costs to operate the pool have increased, and are set to increase again next year.
Hunter said any donations received between now and Aug. 18 will be carried over to next year.
City officials announced Tuesday that the Kennedy Park pool will be free at least for the remainder of the summer.
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