Public pool a staple in community

by Linda Shrock
| June 25, 2010 2:53 PM

It came to my attention in the last couple of weeks that the Plains Pool was being filled late. Being a strong pool supporter for the last 30 years, this bothered me. When we first moved to Plains, the pool was one of the big drawing points for our family. After our four children spent many wonderful years competing on the Plains Swim Team, I knew I had to investigate the late pool opening.

I think the public will be interested in the things I found out. In a word, the pool is getting old and breaking down. It has needed more and more repair over the past few years. The pool currently does not meet new codes and we are under a time line to get it up to code. The reason it was late getting filled was because of needed repairs and weather. I understand the pool always operates in the red.

The late opening of the pool has presented a problem for swim team as they couldn't practice before the first two swim meets. The local meet is scheduled for June 26 and 27. This brings about 300 families to town and we always welcome the economic impact they bring.

This situation of repair and codes is something that I think the general public should be aware of. Over the years that river has taken too many lives. I hate to think what will happen to our children if we lose the pool.

Of course if we lose the pool we would lose the swim team. I was involved with swim team for 16 years with my children and now with my grandchildren. I can attest that the swim team was one of the best influences we had in raising our children as they were busy in the summer and didn't have time to have the "Idle Mind." They had organized team practice to do on a daily basis. Despite an age spread of six years, we all traveled together to the weekend meets.

The older kids helped the younger ones. We still have friends they made from all over Montana during those fun filled years. I can also say that everyone of our kids profited from their swimming experiences.

All of them used those skills while going through college, be it coaching, life guarding or teaching lessons. Jeff was even on Carroll's Championship team two years. I am so grateful for having had that pool, and I want our youth of today to have a pool also.

My point is that I think we as a people of Plains and surrounding area need to rally and become involved now, not wait until it is announced that we are going to lost the pool.

The Parks and Recreation Committee is going to meet this week on Thursday at 6:15 p.m. I hope some of you will come to share some good ideas. We have to keep our youth safe.

Thank you,

Linda Shrock

Plains, MT