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S entinel
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2017
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CGSENTINEL.COM
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Pooling our money
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Effort emerges to raise funds for pool construction
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
$5.1 million.
That was the number the South Lane School District arrived at
for the repair and reconstruction of the Warren H. Daugherty Aquat-
ic Center when divvying up the $35 million bond passed by voters
last year. It was going to address deteriorating locker rooms, light-
ing and the pool itself. However, ever-increasing construction costs
have pushed the estimate for the bare minimum to at least $5.7 mil-
lion. Enter Kris Woodard.
South Lane Superintendent Krista Parent told the school board
Monday night that Woodard had approached her about a fundrais-
ing effort to pad the pool’s budget.
“I grew up swimming in the pool and my history goes back with
the pool a long way,” Woodard told The Sentinel. He fi rst joined the
pool committee in 2006 and says he has “a passion” for the facility.
In a letter addressed to the community, the pool task force notes
the $600,000 gap between the money earmarked by the school dis-
trict for the pool and what construction estimates say it will cost.
“The task force is happy to report that positive headway has been
made in closing the gap with $150,000 pledged to date with a good
possibility of raising an additional $150,000,” the letter reads.
But $150,000 and $150,000 only brings an additional $300,000
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
Please see POOL FUNDING PG. A10
PHOTO BY GREG LEE
The holiday season arrived in Cottage Grove on Saturday, Dec. 2 with hayrides, a tree lighting and pictures with Santa at city hall. Approximately 150 residents came out to see Santa and Mayor Jeff Gowing light the tree in All-America
Square while others, as seen above, indulged in free hayrides through downtown.
Christmas in Cottage Grove
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
They braved the rain. They braved the cold. They braved the
singing.
Dozens of Cottage Grove residents ventured into the weather on
Saturday to ring in the start of the holiday season at the city’s tree
lighting event.
Cottage Grove Area Chamber Director Travis Palmer served as
MC, playing Christmas songs over speakers in All-America Park at
the corner of 7th and Main beginning at 4:30. By 5 p.m., a crowd of
approximately 150 people had gathered, fl ooding the closed street
and being coaxed into Christmas carols by two brave volunteers
who took centered stage and lead the crowd in “Here Comes Santa
Claus.” Seconds later, here came Santa.
Riding in, not on a sleigh but one of South Lane County Fire
and Rescue's new fi re trucks, councilman Jake Boone made his ap-
pearance as the ever jolly Santa, joining Cottage Grove Mayor Jeff
Gowing for the traditional countdown.
The tree, donated by the Woolley family from Drain, was erected
earlier in the week and decorated by city crew members. New Main
St. Coordinator Carlene Giroud said she hoped to expand the city's
collection of decorations for next year. "I've ordered reindeer with
a sleigh," she said. "I want to invest in more permanent things that
we can use year after year."
Boone reappeared as Santa at city hall where the line for pho-
tos extended out into the lobby and through the front doors. Each
child received a free photo with Santa, a candy cane and a ticket to
retrieve the photo online. According to the city manager's offi ce,
approximately 500 photos were taken with Santa in front of a tree
donated by Hendrick's Tree Farm.
The tree lighting capped off a day of Christmas activities in
Cottage Grove that included a holiday breakfast at the South Lane
County fi re house, free rides on the fi re truck, the annual stained
glass feature at the museum and a block party at Shampoo Dolls
featuring hayrides, hot chocolate and music.
EDUCATION
Cat's in town
Girls keep winning
Seussical opens at Cot-
tage Theatre.. PAGE A3
School board discusses
the fate of Latham Elemen-
tary School. PAGE A11
INDEX
ENTERTAINMENT
Calendar ...................................... B11
Channel Guide ............................... B5
Classifieds ...................................... B7
Obituaries ...................................... A2
Opinion ......................................... A4
Sports ............................................ B1
Residents crowd around the city's Christmas tree prior to the lighting.
Below, Santa hears what children want for Christmas. Photos by Greg Lee.
cgnews@cgsentinel.com
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