Without the cooperation between USD 408 and the City of Marion, a new indoor swimming pool may not have been possible.

Because of this cooperative spirit between the two entities, Marion Kiwanis Club chose as the theme of this year’s Old Settlers’ Day parade “Team Work Makes the Dream Work: USD 408 and the City of Marion — Building for the Future.”

USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker and Marion Mayor Mary Olson have been chosen as grand marshals to celebrate the cooperation and lead Saturday’s parade.

When the Marion-Florence school district was considering projects, a new competition gym was high on the board’s list of priorities, Leiker said. A site near Marion Elementary School was ideal, because junior-varsity basketball games were in the elementary gymnasium.

At the same time, Marion City Council wanted to do something with the city’s 50-year-old, outdated, and leaking swimming pool. As luck would have it, the original pool was near the elementary school.

The school district approached City Council with a proposal to build a combination gymnasium and pool at the pool site.

Leiker said the most important question was, “How can we work together to address each of our needs, knowing that both groups serve the community?”

“It’s important for all government entities to work together for this project and other projects,” Olson said.

A bond issue passed in spring 2006, by a vote of 988 to 347. Sharing information about the project was key to its approval, Leiker said.

“I think once the voters knew what the project was going to be, it was easier for them to vote for it,” Leiker said.

Even though Olson was not mayor at the time of the election, she was a strong proponent of the project.

“Anything we can do to help the school district, we should,” she said.

The wide margin by which the project was approved indicates Marion’s support for students, Leiker said. It also shows residents’ interest in year-round exercise. The pool has been used more than the district expected.

“I think the project is a great example of what can be accomplished when groups work together,” Leiker said. “It’s going to be a great facility for the community for a long time.”

Olson believes the pool project has helped relations between the city and school district.

“We’ve always had a good relationship,” Olson said, “which is important.”

The city and the school district fund the Marion Recreation Commission. Before the school district built a new performing arts center, it used the city auditorium nearly 200 days a year for plays, musicals, and programs.

Since the aquatics center — which is located under the same roof as the gymnasium — was funded by the school district, the state school board paid 32 percent of the cost. The city provides annual payments to the school district to offset operating expenses.

School district students are using the facility as part of physical education classes.

Marion Swim Team, which is organized by Marion Recreation Commission, had more members than ever this summer — more than 100 — and won the league championship.

“The pool has done a lot for the Marion community,” Olson said. “We have residents who participate in aerobics classes and swim on a regular basis for health reasons.”

Visitors also have found the pool to be enjoyable, Olson said.

“Anytime we can showcase our community, it’s a good thing,” she said.

Leiker and Olson look forward to the next collaboration.

“I would welcome future opportunities to collaborate with the school district and other entities including the county and hospital,” Olson said.