Americus — A group of people in Americus has taken it upon themselves to save the city’s pool.
Lacie Hamlin, chairwoman of the Save the Pool committee, said the pool was built in the early 1980s.
“There are maintenance issues that causes it not to run as efficiently,” Hamlin said. “There’s also the increased operating cost of water, chemicals and electricity.”
Hamlin said that issues with the pool, along with the city’s budget crunch, prompted the community to do something. She said the pool was at the top of the chopping block as the city was looking for ways to save money.
The city cannot receive direct donations, but a committee can take donations and earmark it for a certain thing and give it to the city, Hamlin said.
The Save the Pool committee’s goal is to have $20,000 in funds by the end of the summer, Hamlin said.
“That would help in maintenance and repairs,” she said.
Hamlin said the committee is doing a variety of things to raise money. They are looking for corporate sponsors for the pool. Casey’s General Store’s corporate offices have agreed to give a set amount of money over the next three years and North Lyon County schools are just finishing up a penny war. The committee is looking into grants available and contacting former lifeguards that served when the pool first opened.
Hamlin said it is very important to keep the pool in Americus operating.
“That’s what they (kids) do during the summer,” she said. “They hang out at the pool. It’s important to keep that for the kids.”
Ways to help
• There will be a car wash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16 at Auto Zone on Sixth Avenue in Emporia. For more information or to volunteer call (620) 443-5744.
• A softball tournament is being organized for later in the summer. For more information or to sign up, call Josh Hamlin at 341-0842.
• A fund has been set up at Homeland Bank in Americus. Funds can be sent to the Save the Pool fund.
• For more information on the committee, to volunteer or donate money, contact Lacie Hamlin at lacie_hamlin@yahoo.com or (620) 481-0213.
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Good job. I hope you can make it happen. Too bad Emporia did not do the same for the Peter Pan pool on that side of town. All they get is a park with 100 degree temperatures this summer!!!!
May 21, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )