The new Fort Oglethorpe swimming pool was dedicated Friday and named the Arlene Crye Municipal Pool in honor of the operator of pools for the city for the past 35 years.
City Recreation Director Jeff Long, who supervised the planning and construction of the new pool, presented Ms. Crye with a bouquet of flowers.
“I don’t know what to say, except that Jeff is in trouble next week,” she said through laughter.
Mayor Ronnie Cobb said Mr. Long approached then city manager Virginia Smith in 1997 to suggest thought should be given to replacing the pool in the future because cracks were appearing.
IF YOU GO
The city’s new swimming pool at Gilbert-Stephenson Park will open to the public on Saturday for Memorial Day weekend.
By the time the old pool was closed at the end of the 2007 season, Mr. Long said those cracks in the old swimming pool were causing a loss of 4,000 gallons of water every day.
The new $890,000 facility has eight lanes for competitive swimming, up from six lanes in the old facility, and a capacity of 300,000 gallons, while the old pool was rated at 220,000 gallons.
Mr. Cobb said through several mayors and city managers, more than a dozen City Council members, hundreds of swim team members, thousands of pool users and 11 intervening years since he first talked to City Manager Smith about it, the new pool is a reality.
“I understand this is a state-of-theart pool and only one other municipal pool in Georgia is this good,” he said. “Everyone who had a part in moving this project forward, and our community, should be proud.”
Martha Eaker, Catoosa Chamber of Commerce president, said the dedication represents a great day for the city and Catoosa County.
“I want you to bring swim meets here with tourists to spend more dollars and aid our economy,” she said.
Mr. Long said the intent is for the city to bid for some state swimming meets.
He said considerable time will be saved in pool cleaning operations with the use of an automated pool-cleaning robot.
“Everyone was delighted with this new hire (the robot) and we plan to let it drink all the water it desires,” Mr. Long said, drawing more laughter.
Meanwhile, Mr. Long said the new pool will be tested every day for proper chemical levels and to be sure it is clear of harmful bacteria.
Catoosa Commissioner and former city Councilman Ken Marks said Fort Oglethorpe has been blessed with Georgia Highway 2, with the commercial prosperity in creates, and the new pool.
