BILLINGS, Mont. — A credit union foundation and a FHLB Bank have made a $171,488 grant to the City of Billings to help replace a century-old swimming facility in the city’s South Park neighborhood with a modern aquatic complex.
The grant was provided by the Mountain America Foundation in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Mountain America and city officials celebrated the award during a Sept. 21 meeting of the Billings City Council, where foundation Executive Director Suzanne Oliver presented a ceremonial check.
The city received the funding in May through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund, which provides a 3-to-1 match for charitable contributions made by participating financial institutions, Mountain America said.
The grant will support plans for a new outdoor swimming pool and bathhouse at South Park. Proposed features include:
- A zero-depth entry area.
- Interactive water-play features.
- A climbing wall.
- Flexible community space.
‘Important Gathering Place’
The city is completing the design and request-for-proposals process before construction begins, according to Mountain America.
“South Park has long been an important gathering place for Billings families, and the new pool will help it continue serving our community for decades,” Mayor Mike Nelson said. “This grant brings us closer to creating a welcoming facility where children will learn to swim, families can spend time together and residents from across Billings can feel at home.”
Mountain America said the new pool is intended to provide affordable recreation, help children develop water-safety skills and create a gathering place for families and community programs. The facility could also provide seasonal employment and give residents a place to cool off during Montana’s summer months.
‘More Than a Place to Swim’
“A community pool is more than a place to swim,” Oliver said. “It gives children a safe place to learn, brings neighbors together and creates experiences families can share for generations.”
Mountain America Credit Union has more than 1 million members, $22 billion in assets and more than 100 branches across several states, according to the credit union. The FHLB Des Moines serves financial institutions across 13 states and three U.S. Pacific territories.
