Greenfield pool to close for the season Saturday, Aug. 12

Members of the Greenfield community interested in the present and future of the town’s historic swimming pool have been hard at work all summer making sure goals are being met and the ball is rolling for whatever the future holds.

The Operation Pool Committee formed in February and began working in connection with city officials toward the best outcomes for pool patrons this summer amid questions about the future of the pool due to symptoms from its increasing age and staffing concerns.

The pool is expected to close for the season this Saturday, Aug. 12. It opened June 3.

Pool Manager Meridith Johnston thinks it has been a good pool season. She credits Operation Pool Committee spokesperson Deb Parrott and Assistant Pool Manager Erin Rhoads for the smooth sailing.

“When I needed help, Deb was right there to help me through it. She was a big supporter. Erin was somebody we all needed to make this season go. With her coming in with a bunch of experience, she was able to show all of us how everything works and how to do our jobs right,” Johnston said.

A princess and mermaid party recently held as a fundraiser went very well. Johnston hopes to continue fundraising efforts for the pool so that it is in a better position, no matter the next steps.

Meanwhile, as a response to the Operation Pool Group’s suggestion to begin planning for the future, Catherine Olesen offered to serve as contact person for volunteers interested in serving on a steering commmittee.

“With the positive relationships created among the Operation Pool Committee and the City, it demonstrates what good can come from working together. Let’s keep that momentum going,” Olesen commented.

The steering committee’s mission statement points them toward partnering with the City of Greenfield: to develop a plan to determine the feasibility of repairing/ replacing necessary equipment, structure and safety features of the present swimming pool, or to partner with the city to work toward building a completely new pool facility. With either option total cost estimates will be obtained.

“The upcoming process requires the development of total project plan,” Olesen added. The City is the contracting body, meaning it has the final say on acting or not acting on any recommendations the steering committee makes.

“At our first meeting, the main decision we made was to contact other towns that have replaced or built a new swimming pool to find out who helped them with their feasibility study and what the cost was for that first step,” Olesen said.

Another action the steering committee will pursue is to award the historic Greenfield Municipal Pool (built in 1941 with WPA and City matching funds) placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

“Members of the steering committee represent our population well,” Olesen commented. They are Andrea Skellenger, Susie Olesen, Renee Schwartz, Brian Eisbach, Jacque Eblen, Jonathan Christensen (city liason), Kevin Hall, Heather Shaull, Stacie Eshelman and Olesen. Nearly all of the steering committee stepped up by choice to join.

“Everyone is passionate about this project and finds it a very important component for quality of life in Greenfield and Adair County,” Olesen reflected. “A number of people have commented that the city government and people of Greenfield were certain and passionate about building a swimming pool during wartime in 1941and now it’s our turn for us to follow their example and do the same.”