Better late than never – After one week delay, Gilley Pool opening makes big splash
|
?By 2 p.m., we had receipts for 613 swimmers through the gates,? said Civic Center director Carlene Brown. ?With more coming in all the time.?
The pool had a bit of a blip with the original opening day, which had been scheduled for last Saturday.
?We definitely had a disappointment with the opening day plans,? Brown said. ?The Tuesday before we had a failure in our main filter pump. The shaft broke, so we couldn?t filter the water, so we had to close until we could get that repaired.?
Brown said the pump has received temporary repairs so the pool could open, and long term repairs will be coming in the near future.
?So we had that delay, but as you can see, with good weather, and the hard work of our maintenance staff, we are open today and having a very successful opening day. Gilley the Frog has been here this morning and we have games and events going on all day for the kids to play.?
The pool is named for Jean and the late Bill Gilley, who passed away soon after the pool?s grand opening in 2003. As usual, Mrs. Gilley made her traditional opening day appearance, much to the delight of all.
?We?ve never opened this pool without Mrs. Gilley being here,? Brown said. ?She hasn?t missed an opening day. She was here and she said, ?I?ve come for my annual first day chicken sandwich.? She left with a tear of joy in her eye in appreciation for the support the community shows for this pool and just the joy of seeing the kids have a fun time.
?So as you can see, it?s been a very successful opening day,? Brown concluded.