Pool attendance hits record high

With temperatures May 27 reaching a record high of 91 degrees so did the attendance at the McMinnville Gilley Pool. Throughout the day, the pool had 1,028 people escaping the rising heat for a cool dip in the pool?s water.

?The only complaint we got was the need for more chairs,? said Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown. ?Other than that, it was a wonderful day.?

The record high attendance of people enjoying swimming at the pool was a reminder of the pool?s namesakes, Bill and Jean Gilley. The couple touched thousands while working as volunteers at the Red Cross and helped many others learn to swim with the free swimming lessons program.

Back in 2003 city officials agreed to name the pool after the couple for their three decades of dedication to the city. Today, people still enjoy the city pool and taking advantage of the annual free swimming lessons still offered by the Red Cross.

With the third anniversary of Bill Gilley?s passing on June 2, Brown hopes people still remember everything he has given to the community and the swimming enjoyment he continues to give.