Masonic Lodge pledges $250K toward pool

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook City Council accepted a $250,000 gift toward the construction of a new swimming pool, the gift contingent on voters approving the city sales tax increase and recreational bond in November.

Greg Wolford of the McCook Masonic Lodge made the presentation of the donation at the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night. It’s the first major donation toward the construction of a new swimming pool. Wolford said the donation was made as a new pool is a worthwhile project and it would help pay down the bond a little earlier, as a way to help out the taxpayers.

City voters will be asked to approve a Nov. 8 ballot question to increase the 1.5% McCook city sales tax to 2%, the extra .5% to be used to pay the costs to construct, acquire, improve, furnish and equip public infrastructure projects, that will include a swimming pool and ball park facilities. A new swimming pool has been estimated at $6 million and a new ballpark, $15 million. Already there are pledged donations toward a new ballpark complex in the amount of $6.5 million, along with 130 acres of land donated for the complex, contingent on the ballot question being approved. If the .5% increase in city sales tax is approved, it will stay in effect until the bond is paid off, estimated at prior city council meetings at around 20 years, although this could be shortened if the bond is paid off early.

The recreational bond would be used for two projects, a new pool and a ballpark complex.

For a new ballpark complex, a portion of the funding would come from the .5% increase in city sales tax, with the remaining balance paid by donations from private individuals and other entities. If the amount fundraised is insufficient to build a ballpark complex, the revenue generated from the .5% city sales tax would be used to upgrade current ballpark facilities.

With the announcement of the gift, City Manager Nate Schneider said he is in ongoing discussions with the bond company on how to keep donor gifts separate on a recreational bond.

This could include two separate series of bonds, one for the pool and one for the ballpark, that would “assure the donor intent is protected,” he said.

City staff and the council thanked the McCook Masonic Templecraft for the gift, with Mayor Mike Gonzales commenting that public support for the pool was appreciated.