New pool one big plus for community
It wasn’t too long ago that tensions soared over whether McMinnville should build a new city pool.
Conversations about the pool dominated coffee shop talk. There were countless letters to the editor. There was even a full-scale debate which aired on public radio and was co-sponsored by this newspaper.
But those turbulent waters have settled. The waves of controversy are a thing of the past. All that remains are a few finishing touches and grand opening ceremonies before the people of this county have a swimming pool as nice as any in this area.
Actually, swimming pool might not do what will be called Gilley Pool justice. A more appropriate term might be to call it a complete aquatic facility.
It’s a pool which will not only serve the people of this community, but it could very well draw patrons from surrounding counties. This could be especially true on the weekends when families could very well make a trip to McMinnville’s pool a special outing. And while they’re here, they might eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores.
While that would be an added benefit, the real value of the pool comes to the people of McMinnville and Warren County. We were the ones who were deprived a public pool last summer. And, as the saying goes, we sure didn’t know what we had till it was gone.
Hundreds of local children had grown accustomed to splashing away the summer heat at the city pool each and every week. Then suddenly all of that was gone last year. Life went on and we all survived, but there was no doubt a void existed.
This year, that void will be replaced with a pool that’s fit for a king. There are slides and play toys and swimming lanes people of all ages can enjoy. Looking over the pool, now just days away from it’s expected opening day this Saturday, there is no doubt it’s a tremendous asset for this town. It’s a step up. It’s a pool people will see and wonder how a city the size of McMinnville was able to build it.
The Standard is pleased our city leaders had the determination to construct such a facility. They took the criticism that was leveled virtually each and every day. They overcame the pressure from some citizens who were adamant we didn’t need a better pool. McMinnville aldermen took the heat and did what they felt was right. Now we are all just days away from benefitting from their vision.
McMinnville is on the verge of opening its new pool and our community is a little bit better for it.