There was no activity at the Bobby Henry Memorial Pool last summer due to maintenance issues, which have been resolved as a result of diligent efforts.
Corey Holmes, parks and recreation director for the city of Greenville, said the issues that caused the pools closure last year are being resolved.
The pool will open June 4 and remain open until Aug. 2, Monday through Saturday.
“We are getting ready to roll,” Holmes said, noting last year’s challenges have been overcome.
“Last year, we knew we had issues, but we were not able to get exact prices and budget for bringing the pool up to standards in time for summer,” Holmes said. “We have been working during the off season to get costs and plan for addressing the issues so the pool can open this summer.”
Hours at the pool are noon to 6 p.m., with the hours of noon to 3 p.m. reserved for swimmers younger than 12 years of age and from 3-6 p.m. for swimmers older than 12.
Holmes is planning to hold the annual back to school summer bash at the end of the swimming season. At the event, school supplies and backpacks will be given to students.
Through good stewardship of the parks and recreation budget, Holmes said the funds to repair the pool were found and included in an amended budget.
In addition to responsible management of funds, donations were sent to the Community Foundation of Washington County to assist in resolving the issues.
“Thanks to the community’s support and the establishment of this fund we have been able to combine individual and cooperate donations with government dollars to collaboratively move this project forward,” said Terri Lane, executive director of CFWC
Holmes said the project has two phases. The first phase will be complete for the pool’s opening and funds are still needed for the second phase.
“This will be one of the prettiest pools in the city when it is complete,” Holmes said. “Every donation, every word of encouragement to see this become a reality is sincererly appreciated by the parks department and the children who enjoy using the pool.”
The first phase of the project includes a new filter system, new lights, diving board, a new motor and new chlorinator filter at the cost of $34,000.
Phase two, once it is funded at $22,000, will realize a new fence and security system, which will secure the filtration system . The second phase also accommodates for a pool house to protect plumbing and equipment, after hours lighting system and new showers.
Holmes said he hopes to begin phase two in January of 2020.
“People can still give to the project through the Community Foundation,” Holmes said. “The money raised assisted us in being able to start the first phase. These funds help keep the last public pool in Greenville open.
Last year, after city crews drained the pool in an effort to clean it and get it ready to open, they ran into some problems — some very expensive problems, such as replacing the pool’s motor and filtration and pump systems.
Estimated costs at the time were $50,000-$80,000.
“Everybody I have talked to right now says the system’s real old, outdated. They don’t even make the motor anymore,” Holmes said last year.
In 2017, the pool’s motor was repaired locally, and it helped temporarily. However, Holmes said for the pool to function properly, it needed a new system.
“You’re really going to have to change out the whole system. We have to be cautious,” Holmes said, noting the pool’s filtration system must work properly to effectively kill bacteria.
In addition to its age, the system was not adequate for an Olympic-size swimming pool.
The pool was built in 1949 and the filtration systems likely date back to that time.
The pool was closed for two consecutive summers in 2009 and 2010 due to pipes and pumps needing to be repaired.
Charles Brady, pool manager, began to notice some problems with its water level and filtration and pump systems in 2017.
“I could tell the system, it was falling more and more into disarray,” Brady said last year. “It’s an old filtering system and it’s done its dues, but it’s going to take a pretty good chunk of change to keep it going.”
Because it is the only public pool in the city, Brady said it’s vital the commission do whatever it takes to fix it.
“It is worth the investment, but it’s going to take some serious investment,” he said.
The Bobby Henry Memorial Pool Renovation Fund was established to benefit the planning and development, renovation and enhancement of the pool.
According to the Community Foundation of Washington County, “Through the donations to this fund, the Bobby Henry Memorial Pool will be renovated and repaired allowing it to once again be used to enhance the fun, family-centered and wellness-orientated recreational activities available to residents throughout our community as well as to offer and conduct vital and life-saving ‘learn to swim’ programming. Your contribution makes all the difference.”
To make an online donation at the foundation’s secure website,visit us at cfwashco.org, or mail contributions to:
Community Foundation of Washington County
P.O. Box 5910,
Greenville, MS 38704.
Make all donations to the Community Foundation of Washington County with Bobby Henry Memorial Pool Renovation Fund in the memo line.
