Community pool group ‘serious and moving forward’

The informal working group focused on building a community swimming pool in Sonoma Valley, Citizens United for a Sonoma Pool (CUSP), has formalized its efforts by attaining not-for-profit status, an important step for membership and fundraising.

The move resulted from the election of CUSP members as the new board of Sonoma Valley Health and Recreation Association (SVHRA).

“This is an important step for us because we now have the organizational structure to expand our ranks and proceed as a formal entity,” said Paul Favaro, local business consultant and new SVHRA president. “It shows the community, local leaders and donors we are serious and moving forward.”

Though dormant for a number of years, SVHRA has maintained active status with the IRS and the State of California and maintained an active bank account. This allows CUSP to avoid the expensive and time-consuming process of applying for nonprofit certification as the group pursues a privately-funded nonprofit swimming pool and athletic facility.

SVHRA was formed by a group of valley residents in 2000 with the intent of qualifying a ballot measure to build a swimming pool. When their efforts fell short, the group dispersed the funds it had raised to various athletic projects in the Valley, including building a fifth tennis court at Maxwell Park and resurfacing the Schantz Track at Sonoma Valley High School.

“Sonoma has a record of hard working community members and we are excited to carry on that legacy and finally bring a community-access pool to the Valley,” said Tom Rouse, SVHRA board member and Sonoma City Council Member. “The history and legal status of SVHRA brings us one step closer to a successful project.”

SVHRA is a coalition of Valley residents and swimming pool backers with the singular goal of finally bringing a community access swimming pool to Sonoma Valley. The Board of Directors is comprised of Ken Brown, Sam Coturri, Paul Favaro, Sid Hoover, Arden Kremer, Cynthia Wood and Rouse.

Though the CUSP group may continue in an informal capacity, all efforts to build a pool in Sonoma will now be conducted under the auspices and by-laws of SVHRA. These efforts will include tax-deductible fundraising, formal community membership and potential land acquisition and facilities construction.

For more information contact 337.0968 or [email protected].