While they seem far from ready to give up, some of the staunchest supporters of the Carole Ann Wald Pool in St. Edward State Park also seem a bit discouraged.

“A lot of people came with a lot of passion and didn’t get any answers,” said Manny Mankowski, one of the 50 or so local residents who showed up for a Jan. 13 meeting of the Friends of St. Edward Park.

Not surprisingly, the primary topic of discussion was the future of the Wald pool that officially closed its doors Dec. 30.

At the same time, while Kenmore City Hall wasn’t officially involved with the Friends meeting, Mayor David Baker said local legislators have in mind a few steps to potentially aid the pool.

For his part, Mankowski emphasized he was expressing his opinion alone, but said he has his doubts that state officials really want to reopen the pool.

“I’m just very skeptical, but I don’t want to throw in the towel,” Mankowski said.

While the state owns the pool, one private entity or another has been responsible for day-to-day operations. Citing financial problems within the pool’s budget, the latest operator, Mill Creek’s West Coast Aquatics, announced Nov. 25 that it would be opting out of its agreement to oversee the pool and adjacent gym.

The move came approximately six months after West Coast became the seeming savior of the pool, taking over after the previous operators chose not to continue their contract to operate the facility. Seattle’s Northwest Centers left in early 2009. The pool and gym subsequently sat closed for approximately three months.

Since West Coast made its announcement, officials of the state Parks and Recreation Commission have at least twice indicated the commission intends to advertise a request for proposals to run the pool in hopes of attracting a new operator.

According to several members of the Friends of St. Edward, a state representative repeated during the Jan. 13 meeting that a search for a new management team for the pool is in the works. However, apparently no timetable has been set, or at least made public.

A spokesperson for the parks commission could not be reached for comment in time for the deadline for this issue.

The president of the Friends of St. Edward, Ray Benish said he thinks the closing of the Wald pool is part of a bigger picture affecting similar facilities around the area. He was the first to note that a public pool in Renton has only recently announced its impending closure.

“You know, we are surrounded by water around here,” Benish said, “but there are fewer and fewer places to learn to swim.”

Another Kenmore resident, Ann Hurst seemed to feel the only definite positive to come out of the situation to date was the sizable attendance at the recent Friends meeting.

“The turnout last night of 50 plus was reminiscent of the energy that stopped a beer hall from controlling the core of the park,” Hurst said.

Hurst was referring to attempts that occurred a few years ago by a private brew pub to take over the St. Edward seminary building that sits behind the pool complex.

Benish and others were critical of Kenmore City Hall for allegedly not coming through with what was supposed to be a $25,000 contribution to the pool operating budget. Baker admitted the money never changed hands, but argued the city never received a required contract from West Coast. He said state law prevents the city from simply donating money.

As to what they city can do to help the pool now, Baker said local officials are in the process of lobbying the state legislator for $75,000 to complete a mechanical and structural survey of the Wald facility.

Baker argued that such a survey will give potential operators a clear picture of the condition of the pool. He added the city is proposing the money go directly to the state parks commission, not Kenmore.

More close to home, Baker said city leaders plan to speak with representatives of Bothell, Kirkland and Bastyr University about supporting the pool. In the case of the two municipalities, Baker said he would like to see a couple of joint council meetings to discuss not just the pool, but other mutual issues.

“It might not seem like much is going on, but we are currently researching what can be done,” Baker said.