Pool Manager excited to get started

Greenfield officials say the pool will open this summer, and they moved one step closer to that happening recently by hiring Meridith Johnston as their new pool manager.

A pool tour Public Works Director Brian Hoadley plans to give city leaders has more to do with long-range planning than it does whether or not the pool will open this summer, leaders have said. The pool opening is not contingent on the findings of the tour.

The city has eight prospective lifeguards, Johnston told the newspaper in a phone interview recently. Her first task is to interview the lifeguards.

“As far as building a good team, I know I can do that,” Johnston said.

Johnston has been a regular attendee at the Operation Pool Committee meetings at The Gathering Place. About 20 people have been attending those meetings that are led by spokesperson Deb Parrott. When one of the first needs that arose was a pool manager, Johnston jumped at the opportunity.

Johnston is comfortable with kids. She hopes to be approachable and available throughout the summer for any situations that might arise.

“I grew up in Des Moines and as a kid, I would always go to the pool,” Johnston said. “It’s really important the kids have something to do. In a bigger town there are more options, but in Greenfield, it seems the pool is the main thing for the summer. A lot of parents will send their kids to the pool. They at least know where they’re at and they’re not getting into trouble.”