Nothing like diving in at the first opportunity.

Last Thursday, four new members of the Glenwood Springs City Council took office. After electing Larry Emery as mayor, the council’s first substantive action was to move forward on separate funding for a swimming pool at the Community Center.

The combo competitive and leisure indoor pool has a dedicated following, and it will be a great amenity for the valley’s yearly crop of competitive swimmers and for families who can’t afford admission to the Hot Springs Pool.

Funding for the pool was lumped in with the controversial golf course and kayak park, in part because it’s the right project at the right time, and in part to win advocates for the questionable certificates of participation financing method.

As the future of the golf course, now projected to cost $10 million, grows murky, city officials were right to split off the pool and get going on that project now. It’s estimated to cost $3.8 million to $4.1 million.

Bids are now being sought from qualified contractors for the job, with a bid opening set for Dec. 4.

Funding for the venture can still come from profits collected at the city’s South Canyon Landfill. The Let’s All Pledge drive already has $1.1 million earmarked in cash, pledges and a grant.

City manager Mike Copp expects to present funding alternatives at the Nov. 20 City Council meeting. Finding $2.7 million to $3 million in funding within one year’s budget could be a stretch, but we hope Copp can find a way to fund the pool without taking on debt.

Now is also the time for those who have pledged to send in their checks, and for those who have been waiting to see if the pool will really be a go to consider a donation.

If everything works out, the pool could be open in a year!