Possible pool closure

Last week, while at work as a Radiologic Technologist at Clark Fork Valley Hospital, I overheard a conversation about a meeting going on regarding the possible closure of the Plains swimming pool. I couldn’t believe my ears. It brought back so many memories from when I was ages five through thirteen. I was part of the Chester, Mont. Lions swim team and attended many swim meets here in Plains over the years. I remember thinking this place was so beautiful, surrounded by mountains and rivers and a wonderful park surrounding the swimming pool. We would get to the swim meets on Friday night and stay through Sunday. The park surrounding the pool was full of kids and families from all over Montana. I can only imagine that it brought great business to Plains on the weekends that the meets were held here. I can’t imagine there not being a swimming pool in such a wonderful small town. I am a small town girl myself and my childhood memories were mostly around the swimming pool in the summer. What is a small town without a summer pool? The pool creates some of the greatest memories with friends and family in a safe environment for all ages. We were all able to have those memories growing up in and around the pool as youngsters—why take that away from our future generations? Pools are a great way to help kids and adults alike blow off steam, cool down on hot summer days, get exercise, entertain, and have a great time in the sun. Let’s all do what we can to keep this pool around. Let’s make memories.