By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA — Thanks to the efforts of three women and area children, the city pool will likely open on Memorial Day weekend.
Facing a budget deficit, Alexandria city officials had originally planned to close the pool for the first time in decades.
Mayor Jack Woods estimated that repairs and maintenance to the pool would cost $85,000 this summer, something the city just couldn’t afford.
Hearing that the city might have a summer without its pool, three women decided to save the summer. Vanessa Hosier, Penny Stevens and Sherry Brown challenged area children and residents to donate to the pool fund over the past two months.
They quickly became known as the pool ladies, and on Monday, Hosier said the group is just $8,400 from reaching its goal and opening the pool this summer.
The pool was badly in need of a liner, Woods said, and city officials promised that if area residents raised funds to buy the liner, the city would cover the remaining $35,000 in operating costs this summer.
After haggling with vendors, the women were able to get a pool liner for just under $43,000, Hosier said.
So far, Hosier said Alexandria residents have raised $34,600 for the pool fund.
About $5,000 of that was raised by area students, she said. Students at the intermediate and elementary schools participated in jar wars and fundraising activities every Friday for the past month to raise the money.
Gloria and Bill Gaither purchased small piggy bank boxes for students to help keep track of the money raised.
An anonymous donor pitched in $10,000 but most money came in the form of small donations, Hosier said.
One box collected contained 16 cents and a note that said “Please save our pool,” Hosier said.
Hosier is confident that she and the other pool ladies will be able to raise the final $8,400 in time for Memorial Day. When the pool opens, she said, residents will be invited to one day of completely free swimming to celebrate the accomplishment.
Mayor Woods was discouraged by the budget that almost closed the pool, but said he is encouraged by the efforts of Alexandria residents.
“I am very proud of them. It shows you the community that comes together to do things for their city can do miraculous things for their city.”
Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Which pools will be open?
For the third summer in a row, the Elwood city pool will remain empty but other pools should start filling up across the county soon.
The Pendleton pool is set to open Memorial Day weekend along with the Alexandria pool, if the correct amount of money is raised.
Fred Reese of the Anderson Parks and Recreation Department said city officials have not yet decided if both city pools will be opened.
Last summer, the Athletic Pool was closed because repairs were too expensive but the city pool near Anderson High School remained open.
Near the beginning of May, Reese said board members will make a decision regarding the pools. No matter what, he said, one Anderson city pool will be open this summer.
