Anyone who has ever had a pool in the backyard knows how much work and expense go into keeping that pool clean, chemically balanced, maintained and warm. It’s not cheap, not easy and time consuming. However the rewards can also be great.
To think about a pool as large as the New Carlisle one must multiply the work and expense to really large numbers. But those rewards are also magnified significantly.
Since the New Carlisle Pool was built in 1968, hundreds of young folks have learned to swim in the pool. Mayor Lowery was among them.
“I loved it and was there any chance I could,” said Lowrey, who believes that being able to swim is an important skill that all should learn.
The city’s pool has been a fun constructive summer activity for generations and a great way to cool off. I imagine that water play must also have a significant impact on the health of the community. Keeping today’s kids active and away from video games for a while has to be good.
I didn’t grow up here but I’ve got many wonderful memories of the municipal pool where I was raised. I’m sure similar memories are inspiring those who want to keep this pool open.
There is also another factor that’s important to remember.
My memories of the New Carlisle Pool involve our three daughters all working as lifeguards. The oldest taught lessons at the Park Layne Pool and guarded at Silver Lake. Our other two daughters worked as lifeguards and taught swim lessons in the New Carlisle Pool, and later in the YMCA pool.
I mention this because we also need to remember the impact that the pool has on local summer employment. Pools need lifeguards, managers, maintenance people and snack bar operators. I don’t know how many local teens have made their first paychecks at this pool, but I’ll bet the New Carlisle Pool has had a positive influence on their educational costs and their contributions to society as adults.
My husband was a lifeguard in the summers at the Sidney pool until he earned his commission in the U.S. Navy. His life-guarding skills have helped many over the years and contributed positively to his career as a Naval aviator.
Two of our daughters are now RNs working in hospitals in this area. The youngest daughter works in morale, welfare and recreation on a military base and is working toward a masters degree in hospital management. Being lifeguards, and learning about lifesaving, first aid, pool management, responsibility, etc. had a great influence on their career choices. I’m glad that their first work place was the nice pool in New Carlisle.
I’d like to thank Mayor Lowery and the other council members who are working to keep this pool open. And I have to add that I love the idea of fundraising on the GoFundMe website that Lowery set up.
For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, the Support the New Carlisle Pool GoFundMe account is a way for anyone interested to contribute easily to the goal of $5,000 for maintenance and updating of the pool.
Innovative efforts like this keep taxes down and facilities open, and I applaud them.
At this time donations from ranging in size from $10 to $200 by 38 community members and businesses add up to more than $2,200. This is a good start.
Lowery posted this comment on the site recently.
“With the warmer weather we hope that we can start preparations to paint the buildings in the coming weeks. We have not decided on what color or design we are going to go with but we want to make sure it draws attention to anyone driving by. Also new and updated lighting fixtures are being looked at for the restrooms at this time along with new mirrors. We are going to work hard to stretch every dollar that has been donated to maximize the updates to the pool.”
I’ll also be sending in a small contribution myself, so that other teens can get a good start life-guarding like our girls did. My contribution cannot be as big as I wish it could be but when combined with the small contributions of many in the community, it can help to reach that goal of $5,000.
If you agree that this pool is good for this end of Clark County, you may donate through https://www.gofundme.com/qgzk9k.
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