Alva Review-Courier -

Since the Alva Municipal Swimming Pool closed in 2018, a large number of people in the community have worked diligently to develop plans and locate financing to build a new facility while keeping some historic aspects like the bathhouse and gazebo. Over the years several committees or task forces have assisted in the planning and fund raising.

The number of people involved is too large to list, but Mayor Kelly Parker made a valiant effort to do so Wednesday afternoon. A large crowd met in the auditorium at Alva High School to hear Parker and others speak about the pool project. Then everyone was invited to move across Flynn Street to the pool for a groundbreaking ceremony.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Rev. Taylor Anderson led the assembly in prayer. Mayor Parker welcomed the crowd and proceeded to recognize all the many individuals and organizations who have provided leadership and support for the pool project.

Parker said of the $5.9 million in the project budget, $4.3 million came from private funds. Over 100 groups and individuals donated to the pool project. Donations continue to be accepted. He said that the Charles Morton Share Trust contributed $1.7 million to the pool.

The Pete and Ruth Leslie Foundation, known for supporting youth, sports and recreation, pledged $700,000. Parker thanked Joy Glass, Gregg Glass and entire family for their support.

The Mackey family with a long agricultural legacy in the community donated $500,000 to the project.

"And so we will break ground today. These efforts have been ongoing for several years now, but I will say that these efforts truly didn't start until December of 2021 when Kirk and Drue Washburn made the loving and very emotional decision to honor their son Cory with a $500,000 contribution for this project for what will be known from now on as the Cory Washburn Family Memorial Swimming Pool," Parker said.

Cory Washburn died following a plane crash in Alva, leaving behind his wife Sarah and young son Liam as well as his parents Drue and Kirk Washburn and his sister Kami.

Parker introduced Steve Ward who spoke on behalf of the Washburn family. "It's hard to believe that it has been over six years since we lost Cory," Ward said. "When Drue and Kirk talked about what they wanted to do in Cory's memory, the pool project was first on the list. They wanted to do something that Cory would have fully supported and devoted his time and effort to. Cory loved the water. It didn't matter if it was a pool, lake or ocean. Cory was all about it. Cory was the biggest kid I knew."

Marione Martin

As people lined up for the groundbreaking photo, Drue Washburn (second from left) takes a cellphone photo of her grandson Liam Washburn (second from right) wearing a hard hat and holding a shovel. From left are Kirk Washburn, Drue Washburn, Sarah Washburn, Liam Washburn and Mayor Kelly Parker.

He said when they were throwing a party, Cory's wife Sarah was literally worried about a circus showing up. Ward said, "Everything Cory did was over the top in a way that only Cory could pull off. Cory lived life to the fullest, at full speed. He had an energy about him that was extremely contagious.

"Sarah, Liam, Drue and Kirk, and the entire Washburn family are extremely grateful for Cory Washburn Family Memorial Swimming Pool to break ground today. They're excited to see what the future holds. On behalf of the entire Washburn family, thank you to the Alva community for your love and support you have shown."

Representing the Alva Parks and Recreation Board in the program, Brandon Sherman provided a timeline for the project since 2018, concluding with the expectation that the pool will be open by Memorial Day weekend of 2025.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in the basin of the old swimming pool. Ascend Construction had heavy equipment on hand, supporting the banner proclaiming the name of the pool. Loose dirt was arranged in the pool basin for easy shoveling as the group posed for photos.

Following the ceremony, work continued to remove the old pool basin.