WPCO Questions Purchasing Swim Passes
Members attending the Wolf Point Community Organization’s meeting on Monday, June 16, seem to agree that the organization purchasing swim passes to use the Wolf Point pool isn’t their preference at this time.
Officials reported that it was decided during an executive meeting to “hold off” of purchasing swim pool passes for eligible children. They expressed a frustration regarding hours set for free swimming at the pool. It was mentioned that the pool is used for Glasgow’s swim team to conduct practices. WPCO executives said little progress was made in conversations with Wolf Point’s pool manager and mayor.
“We spend a lot of money up there,” treasurer Jason Hamilton said. He estimated that WPCO’s payments account for the cost of about 90 percent of the pool staff’s salaries.
“We will put the passes on hold until if they can arrange a better schedule,” Hamilton said. “We’re just waiting.”
Tribal Executive Board member Roxanne Gourneau said the pool’s current schedule provides an hour less per day of free swimming that the past schedule. She added the pool isn’t open on Sundays.
“We all want our children to go swimming,” Gourneau said, but she noted that it’s important to be fiscally responsible.
A suggestion was made to have a special meeting if the city agrees to schedule changes.
“If they can’t meet us, we don’t need them,” one audience member said.
A comment was made that WPCO should build its own tribal swimming pool. That suggestion brought applause from audience members.
WPCO will start a process to find the possibilities of becoming a 501(c) corporation. Plans are for an audit to be held and the hiring of an attorney.
Members did pass a motion to provide carnival tickets during the Friday and Saturday of the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede. Volunteers will sit by the ticket booth from 5 to 7 p.m. those nights and purchase tickets for 3- to 17-year-old youth. Requirements include being a member of WPCO and being enrolled. Tribal IDs are needed. WPCO will provide 200 tickets, which cost $25, each of the two nights.
