To the casual observer it’s business as usual at John Day’s municipal pool, owned by the city and managed by the John Day/Canyon City Parks and Recreation District. It’s summertime and on any given day countless area school-aged children splash about Gleason Pool enjoying the carefree days of summer. It’s an annual tradition that has unfolded this time of year for as long as most people can remember. However, beneath the surface problems exist that threaten the shutdown of the 57-year-old pool.

“”Every year, we’re not sure if this pool is going to hold water,” said Kimberly Ward, program director for the district, who, during the summer months, takes on the role of pool manager and lifeguard as well.

This year, Ward was keeping her fingers crossed that the pool, which opens the Monday after the final day of school and remains open through August, would open on time. It was a close call as repairs to leaks and the pool’s boiler were finished the Friday before.

It’s not the first time this has happened, according to Ward. Last year, a pump had to be replaced prior to opening the pool. In recent years, Ward estimates that upwards of 70 percent of the original galvanized pipes have been repaired or replaced.

“We’ve (including city officials) known the past few years as the pool continues to deteriorate that it’s time to look to the future,” said Ward.

The Parks and Recreation District was formed in 1989 to reopen and manage the pool after it had been closed for a period of time, according to Ward. The effort was aided by proponents who wanted to see the pool become a viable resource for the community once again and the city was delighted it no longer had the financial responsibility of running the pool, said Mayor Ron Lundbom, who was a city council member at the time.

In addition to managing the pool, the parks and recreation district in subsequent years developed and runs the youth sports program and also manages the 7th Street Complex. In an agreement with the city of John Day, the district leases the pool and, with the lease set to expire in 2020, Ward and others believe now is the time to begin serious discussions about building a replacement pool.

“The town needs a pool,” said Ward. “Kids still have a blast at the pool. It’s a safe alternative to rivers and lakes.” Summer swim lessons, Ward adds, make the pool a valuable asset to the community.

Lundbom agrees. “It’s imperative we have a pool,” he said, but he stops short of endorsing the idea of the city getting involved financially in the building of a new pool. Other municipalities have and are losing money.

“Even if the recreation district gave us the pool back, we couldn’t afford to run and maintain it,” said Lundbom. Instead, Lundbom would like to see other local entities, like the hospital and school district for instance, join the conversation.

“We all know this pool isn’t going to last,” he said. “It would be nice if we could figure something out. We don’t need a Taj Mahal and a lot of extras, just a simple pool housed in a metal building would be adequate.”

With the city in the midst of building a new fire station the subject of pool replacement isn’t on its radar, though city officials are well aware of the challenges the recreation district has with managing the pool.

As for Ward, she too would like to see other entities along with community members to begin laying the groundwork for a new pool and wouldn’t mind hearing from interested parties. She can be reached during the day at 541-575-9930.

(SIDEBAR)

A brief history of Gleason Pool:

– Opened on June 7, 1958, under the name John Day Municipal Pool.

– Cost to open was $60,000, operated by the City of John Day.

– First pool manager was Lynn Pryse, with Lyle Willden assisting and Betty Jo Wyllie as chief lifeguard.

– By the end of June 1958, John Day/Canyon City Chamber of Commerce sponsored a competition to re-name the pool. Harry Don Moody, 7, of John Day won the contest and $5, as well as two coupon books of swim tickets.

– In a dedication ceremony July 11, 1958, the pool was re-named to honor the late Dan Gleason by then mayor, Don Dolven.

– Dan Gleason, a noted public official, had been the mayor of John Day in the mid-1920s, as well as chief of police, deputy sheriff and city marshal. He also worked on the John Day fire, water and maintenance departments.

– According to Bill Smith, John Day Councilman, expenditures at the pool from June 7, 1958 to July 26, 1958 were listed as: Wages, $2,200; fuel, $700; and lights, $75; or a total of approximately $3,000. Business during the two months netted a profit of about $800. Over 9,000 swimmers were listed as pool users during the period.