Open at last!
It’s been a slow start to pool season this year, a fact Gays Mills Pool Manager Jen Klekamp attributes to cooler than normal weather and a late end to the school year.
“The pool has to reach 70° to open, we are at 67 this morning,” Klekamp reported Monday morning. However, with a day sunny weather and rising temperatures, the pool was set and ready to open their doors.
Open swim, when the pool is open to general admission, is held from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Adult swim hours are planned June 12 through July 12 on weekdays from 5 to 6 p.m.
“We changed the first session of swimming lessons to noon, since they were in competition with baseball and softball practice before,” Klekamp noted. “Hopefully, this will make it easier for people and maybe we will see more students enroll.”
As the nights warm up, Klekamp said planning for pool parties would take place, but with the weather as it has been, it has been difficult to anticipate when they could be scheduled.
Another change is coming, as the pool staff prepares for the addition of a pool wheelchair for those with mobility difficulties and disabilities in the upcoming weeks.
“The patron will be able to move from their own chair to the pool chair, which will then swing in and lower into the water,” Klekamp said.
“(The pool) is extremely important to our community,” said Geraldine Smith, a Gays Mills Village Trustee. “It’s important for the fun, for the health of the children and all who use it, getting us out into the fresh air and sunshine.”
The surrounding communities have shown a long support for the swimming pool, which was built in the 1950s. Many of them make donations to help cover the operating costs of the pool each year, along with some individual donations. That support helps keep admission prices affordable for pool patrons.
For 2013, donations were: Village of Bell Center - $300; Clayton Township - $800; Freeman Township - $200; Haney Township - $400; Village of Mt Sterling - $500; North Crawford School District - $600; Village of Soldiers Grove - $500; Utica Township - $300; Village of Wauzeka - $500; Wauzeka Township - $500; and Natalie & Scott Kunz - $100.
Those donations totaled $4,700 for 2013 and will help defray operating costs. Based on the previous year, operations are estimated at just under $66,000 and revenue from pool entrance sales and snack and refreshment sales are expected to bring in just under $18,700.
The village provides the remaining funds to keep the pool open.
“Previous boards have discussed the rates and chosen to keep them low so that the pool remains affordable to use,” said Maura Otis, the village’s Deputy Clerk.
Pool rates are as follows:
Supporting Communities Passes: individual season - $35; family season* - $65
Supporting Communities Daily Swim: child (4-11 yrs.) - $1.50; student (12-17) - $2; adult (18 & up) - $2.50
Non-Supporting Communities Passes: individual season - $55; family season* - $80
Non-Supporting Communities Daily Swim: child (4-11 yrs.) - $2; student (12-17) - $2.50; adult (18 & up) - $3
Lessons: individuals - $30; family (three or more children) - $65. The lessons are half price if you have an individual or family season pass
* Family passes are for immediate family members only.
Lesson sessions will be held:
• June 17 - 28, from noon to 12:45 p.m., Monday – Friday
• July 1 –12, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Monday – Friday
• July 15 – 26, from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and 5:45 to 6:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
• and July 29 - August 9 5 to 5:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
For those unable to make scheduled sessions, the Gays Mills Swimming Pool does offer private lessons. The rates are negotiated based on the number of participants and staffing.
“We are able to work with people when they have staffing preferences, sometimes scheduling private lessons during open swim hours when a particular life guard who is a family member or friend is available to teach,” Klekamp added. “There are a number of factors that can be negotiated making private lessons more affordable.”
The pool maintains a Facebook page to help keep followers updated on plans and news.
“You can also find all of our rates and lesson information in the ‘About’ section” said Klekamp.
To check in, and like, just login in to Facebook and search for the Gays Mills Swimming Pool.
See you in the water!
