Community members rallied support for the Orchard Mesa Pool on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the lawn south of Las Colonias Butterfly Pond. The event, which featured pool noodles, miniature flamingo floaties, yard signs, free ice cream, popsicles, a prize raffle, and yard games, was organized by the Save Orchard Mesa Pool Committee.
Organizers stated the rally aimed to raise awareness for Ballot Measure 2B. This measure asks Grand Junction residents to approve a sales tax increase to cover $12 million for pool repairs and ongoing operational support for the facility located at 2736 Unaweep Ave.
Committee member Mariann Taigman explained that the funds are specifically for critical infrastructure replacements, such as HVAC and filtration systems, rather than additional amenities. According to Taigman, the proposed sales tax would increase by $0.07 per $100 spent, which would then reduce to approximately $0.03 per $100 once the bond covering repair costs is repaid.
Twelve-year-old Alex Lyon, a member of the Save Orchard Mesa Pool Committee since 2023, spoke at the rally, emphasizing the importance of a safe community pool for himself and his friends. Committee member Rhonda Bates highlighted that Orchard Mesa, with a community of less than 7,000, has only three amenities: Eagle Rim Park, Duckpond Park, and the pool, compared to the city’s 42 parks.
The committee’s advocacy efforts to preserve and repair the pool have spanned the last six years. Taigman noted that concerns first emerged when the pool’s original stakeholders—Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction, and Mesa County Valley School District 51—reportedly expressed disinterest in maintaining the facility. This advocacy led to a contract between the City and D51 to continue operations until the end of 2026 or until the new Grand Junction Community Recreation Center (CRC) opens, which is slated for Sept. 25.
Grand Junction City Council Member Scott Beilfuss, who attended and spoke as a citizen, supported the measure, arguing that repairing the existing pool is more cost-effective than demolishing it and building a new facility in the future. Beilfuss stated, "For $12 million, we can fix up an asset that we already have."
Taigman added that the Orchard Mesa Pool serves residents beyond Orchard Mesa, including those from Glade Park, Palisade, and Fruita. Rally attendee Scott Ryder described the pool as a "marvelous and incredible resource" since he moved to the area seven years ago. He voiced concerns about access to the new CRC for Orchard Mesa residents due to its location, noting that Orchard Mesa is an "under-served area of our community."
Construction costs for the new Grand Junction Community Recreation Center total approximately $82.1 million, funded by a 0.14% sales tax increase and cannabis tax money. Taigman noted that part of the committee's work involves educating residents about Ballot Measure 2B, as many are unaware of the details regarding the pool's future.
