KOB breaks ground on new pool

City leaders were on hand on Feb. 29 to watch a crew break ground on a new municipal swimming pool almost two years after Olney’s 1950s-era swimming pool was permanently shut down because of structural problems.

The new swimming pool is located beside the central pavilion in Tom Griffin Park. Keep Olney Beautiful, which raised the approximately $400,000 needed to build the new pool from private donors, is aiming for a Memorial Day opening, KOB President Kyle Turner said.

The new pool is smaller than the old pool - 2,000 square feet compared with 3,000 square feet – but includes a diving board, slide and wading area, Mr. Turner said.

KOB consulted with the pool builder, Absolute Pools by Jason of Wichita Falls, to “get his feel for some pools he has done in the area that are a similar size as Olney, population- wise,” Mr. Turner said. “It shouldn’t be too far off from what other communities in the area are doing.”

Mayor Rogers said new pool “should be big enough to cover any demand.”

“It’s brand new so hopefully there will be lots of excitement,” he said.

The pool complex includes a building with two restrooms, a concession area, a closet, and an outdoor shower, he said. The concession/ restroom building was designed to expand if the City decides it needs more restrooms or concession space, Mayor Rogers said.

A wrought iron fence will wrap around the pool area and include the pavillion, which will provide shade for pool-goers, Mayor Rogers said.

KOB is still raising money to complete the concession area and for contingencies, and to purchase furniture for the pool area, Mr. Turner said. “We are nearly there,” he said.

“The Perry Foundation generously gave a sizable donation which really jump-started the project funding,” Mayor Rogers said. “Local businesses such as Tower and Air Tractor among others have donated generously along with many individuals in the community or those with ties to Olney. ”

Justin Piegat and DJ Meschkat of Cemco, who were on hand for the groundbreaking, called the project “wonderful.”

“The community should enjoy it,” Mr. Piegat said. “We missed it last year.”

“It’s good for the community to have a spot where the kiddos can come and swim,” Mr. Meschkat said. “It’s important.”

The City closed the old pool days before its planned opening on June 2, 2022 after Public Works employees discovered cracks in the plaster and a soft spot at the bottom where water was trapped. The pool also appeared to have tilted upward because of a sinkhole forming underneath it, city officials said.

The City did a soil test at the new site before breaking ground to “make sure we don’t run into the same problem that we had over to the west,” Mayor Rogers said.