Upper Valley Park & Recreation Service Area (PRSA)

Feasibility Study for Pool Enclosure

The Upper Valley Park & Recreation Area (PRSA) in conjunction with the City of Leavenworth has contracted with NAC Architects to conduct a feasibility study to enclose the Community Pool for year-round use. The scope of the study includes options for seasonal and permanent enclosure, as well as possible expansion of the pool facilities. Possibilities were presented to the community at the City of Leavenworth Community Engagement Night on January 31, 2023.

Full results from this feasibility study are expected in spring 2023 and will help guide the PRSA and City of Leavenworth in next steps to best meet the community’s need for year-round access to pool facilities. Cost estimates for construction and operation for each option will be included in the study results.

The PRSA published a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in 2021 seeking interested firms as part of this process. Please click here for more information and to access the RFQ.

Updates will be provided on this page as the process progresses.

PRSA Recreational Needs Assessment Findings

The Upper Valley Park & Recreation Service Area (PRSA) presents findings from a 2021 PRSA needs assessment, which highlights community priorities for recreational investments and improvements in the Upper Valley.

Click here to read the Press Release, or read below for a recap of the report:

Key needs assessment recommendations include:

Expanding a network of shared-use (walking/hiking/biking) paths to connect Upper Valley communities
Expanding access to the community pool for year-round, more inclusive access

Needs assessment outreach began in June 2021 and concluded in September 2021, and included public outreach at the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market, an open house meeting, stakeholder interviews with a variety of community representatives, and a statistically valid survey administered to randomly selected households in the Upper Valley.

Key priorities for investing in facilities that emerged from the statistically valid survey include:

An indoor swimming pool/year-round pool access
Shared-use paths
Natural parks and preserves

Key priorities for investing in programming from the survey include:

Outdoor concerts and movies
Fitness, wellness, arts, and cultural programs for adults
Exercise classes
Farmers markets

Key priorities that emerged from stakeholder interviews with community members representing the Cascade School District, community pool management, sports and recreation organizations in the Upper Valley, and community recreation enthusiasts include:

Trails and shared-use paths available for use year-round
Year-round pool access
A community center
Improving existing facilities and adding amenities such as restrooms and waste receptacles
Increasing the number of sports fields and courts available for use in the Upper Valley
Giving more focus to areas outside of the City of Leavenworth
Access to sports and recreation equipment, especially for youth

Key priorities that emerged from conversations with community members at Leavenworth Community Farmers Markets and a public house include:

Year-round pool facilities
Shared-use paths available for use year-round
Increased shade at existing facilities
Increased recreational programming for youth
More mountain bike facilities
An ice skating rink
A community center
More pickle ball facilities

Key priorities voiced by members of the Peshastin Community Council include:

Shared-use paths connecting Upper Valley communities
More sports fields in Peshastin
Additional off-leash dog parks in the Upper Valley
Increased access to the Wenatchee River in Peshastin

According to the survey, the recreation improvements community members voiced the most support for funding include:

Adding shared-use trails connecting Upper Valley communities
Extending pool usage by enclosing the facility for year-round use

AHBL, Inc. conducted the overall needs assessment and ETC Institute conducted the statistically valid survey; they were chosen from an RFP process in the spring of 2021.

Full survey findings are available here for review.

What happens next? Findings from this needs assessment will help guide the PRSA in how best to continue to serve the recreational needs of the Upper Valley community. The PRSA will continue to examine needs assessment findings and survey data, and intends to develop conceptual projects for some of the high-priority recommendations that emerged from the needs assessment process, including scope of cost and forecast benefits to the community.

About the PRSA

The Upper Valley Park and Recreation Service Area (PRSA) was formed in 1997 with the primary purpose of funding the reconstruction and maintenance of the community pool. PRSA residents continue to support the majority of the pool’s maintenance and operational costs through a levy on property tax assessments. The current six-year levy, approved by voters in 2018 to collect revenue from 2019-2024, collects $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund maintenance and operations of the pool. For instance, a property assessed at $500,000 contributes $55 per year to the PRSA.

The Upper Valley PRSA is a voter-approved Special Purpose District (a legal entity separate from the City of Leavenworth) formed by an Interlocal Agreement and is governed by a volunteer board with representatives from Chelan County, the City of Leavenworth, Peshastin Community Council, the Chumstick community, and Cascade School District #228. The current PRSA boundaries include the City of Leavenworth and extend out a portion of the Chumstick Highway, Icicle Road and East Leavenworth Road, and a portion of Peshastin, with most properties located just west of Highway 97.

The Board meets bi-monthly to review and assist the City of Leavenworth in passing the budget for pool operations, and reviews recommendations for current and future expansions of recreational opportunities.

The PRSA budget is now separate from the City’s budget; however, the PRSA budget only includes collected property tax revenues from the Chelan County Treasurer’s Office that are transferred to the City. The City of Leavenworth in turn utilizes these funds for pool operations and maintenance.

For questions regarding the Upper Valley Park and Recreation Service Area please contact Brandi Mynatt, PRSA Coordinator.