MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — July 31, 2025 — More than six years after breaking ground, Mountain Home’s long-promised indoor aquatic center is still under construction — and residents say they’re losing patience with the delays.

The project was envisioned decades ago when voters approved the creation of the Western Elmore County Recreation District (WECRD) to fund and oversee the facility. For longtime supporters, the idea of an indoor pool was always about giving families, youth and seniors a year-round place to swim and gather.

“It was a dream of the community for a long time to have an indoor aquatic facility,” said Betty Ashcraft, president of the Recreation Foundation of Elmore County.

Despite that dream, the road to completion has been rocky. The recreation district relies on local property tax revenue to fund the project but, by law, cannot borrow money, Ashcraft explained. “So all of the money coming from the taxes has to be saved and saved and saved,” she said.

Construction finally broke ground near Mountain Home High School about six years ago. Today, the site sits in its sixth construction phase — with visible progress, but still far from ready to open.

For neighbors who pass by the fenced-off site daily, the unfinished building is a constant reminder of delays.

When asked what district leaders say to residents frustrated by the years-long timeline, Dan Gillies, president of the WECRD board, said rising costs and careful spending explain much of the wait.

“It is taking a long time because we are trying to get the most that we can for the dollars that we have,” Gillies said.

After 2020, inflation and supply chain shocks added new hurdles. Gillies pointed to one decision that saved taxpayers a significant sum: “We saved probably $400,000 on the building by buying the structure and storing it for a year before the prices went up,” he said.

The aquatic center is now estimated to cost about $5.5 million, but the district says they still need around $2 million more to complete it. Once the facility opens, local property taxes will help cover operating costs and maintenance.

Despite the delays, the district is optimistic the community won’t have to wait too much longer.

“And we hope to have it finished within a year or two,” Gillies said.

When complete, the indoor pool is expected to draw swimmers not just from Mountain Home but also nearby towns like Grandview and Fairfield — fulfilling the original vision of a regional gathering space for water safety lessons, swim teams and family fun.

Residents who want to follow the project’s progress or share their concerns can attend the next WECRD board meeting on Aug. 27. The district also encourages people to request a tour of the site to see what’s been accomplished and what still needs to be done.

For now, the dream of Mountain Home’s indoor aquatic center remains just out of reach — but leaders say they’re determined to get there, one budget cycle at a time.

Originally reported by Sahana Patel in Idaho news 6.