GLENWOOD SPRINGS – Unless more money is offered by city officials to build a pool at the Community Center, the money-collecting drive for the pool will essentially be dead in the water, fund-raiser Terri Miller said.

Miller is the chairwoman for the “Let’s All Pledge,” or LAP drive, which is aimed at collecting $3.2 million to build an aquatic center at the Community Center. The drive has been successful in collecting $1.77 million so far, but Miller said it’s become stagnant in recent months.

As a result, Miller said unless the city kicks in another $750,000 – which would bring its total donation to $1.5 million – the drive will have failed.

“We’re still moving forward, but we need a big punch,” she said, now 1 1/2 years into the drive.

Miller thinks if the city pitches in another $750,000, people will believe the pool is high on the city’s priority list and they’ll be more apt to donate money.

But time is running short. Many of the grants, as well as the city’s first $750,000 donation, hinge on collecting the remaining $1.43 million by June 30.

“Everything’s sensitive to that June 2003 date,” Miller said.

One funding idea came up during a special City Council work session earlier this month on a possible city-owned golf course. The city could pitch in another $750,000 for the pool from a $12 million recreation loan that’s being considered.

In addition to possibly funding the pool, the loan would also pay for recreational amenities such as a combination golf course, driving range, sled hill and Nordic skiing trail, as well as a kayak park and some tennis courts.

“We’re waiting to see what the city’s going to do,” Miller said.

City manager Mike Copp said City Council plans to hold a special work session on April 16 to discuss the possible recreation opportunities and how to pay for them.

“Hopefully by June 30, we’ll know if this whole thing is going to go or not,” Copp said.

Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511

gmasse@postindependent.com