Belgrade needs greater public support to proceed with the aquatic center

Bozeman, Montana – Belgrade’s intention to build an aquatic complex was defeated in the May election, thus the city is now without plans for a swimming pool as summer continues.

According to local residents, the city is currently concentrating more on the Parks, Trails, and Recreation District, which was approved in the May election. The district establishes a Parks and Recreation division under county and local administration.

The need for a pool will increase as the Bozeman and Belgrade populations expand, according to Jessi McCloud, president of the Belgrade Aquatics Group.

The swim teams and clubs from Belgrade High School are currently practicing at the Bozeman Swim Center, while recreational swimmers from Belgrade are being directed to other swimming locations in the Gallatin Valley.

The neighborhood needs to get more active if we want to proceed with acquiring a pool in the future, according to McCloud.

“With five of us, we were able to get this to bond and do what it was with. We required a lot more assistance. And I believe that’s the next stage with people getting active in local government and our neighborhoods, she added.

Taxpayers would have paid $49 million for the pool bond, which also included the price of buying land. According to community comments, the Belgrade Aquatic Group’s taxpayers are not prepared to foot the money for an aquatic center due to inflation and tax uncertainties, McCloud stated.

The Parks and Recreation District will assist in laying the foundation for future efforts to construct the center in the meantime.

Susan Smith, a resident of Belgrade, expressed her desire for a pool. She said having a pool for swimming in the community would be fantastic because she brings her granddaughter to the Bozeman Hot Springs and Splash Park at Lewis and Clark Park.

Spaces in Bozeman are used by numerous Belgrade recreational swimmers.

“Oh, sure, we definitely get visitors from throughout the Gallatin Valley. Manhattan, Belgrade, Amsterdam, and Livingston… Yeah. Currently, there is a slight lack of availability in the valley, according to Shane Smith, assistant aquatics manager at Bogert Pool.

The Bogert Pool in Bozeman is an outdoor, kid-friendly location offering a variety of activities for kids, including slides and a climbing wall.

Additionally, swimming lessons for infants to adults are provided at the pool.

Due to its outdoor location, Bogert is open during the week but may close during bad weather.

For the summer, the pool is still hiring lifeguards, and once they are completely staffed, Smith said, they will be able to remain open on weekends. The American Red Cross requires lifeguards to complete multiple swimming exams in addition to interviews and background checks.