What’s next for Sargent’s pool?
A group of concerned individuals met Thursday, April 6, at the Sargent Community Building to talk about what is next for the repair of the Sargent Swimming Pool.
A bond for a new swimming pool failed during a special election on March 14. According to Custer County Clerk Constance Gracey, there were 70 votes for the bond and 129 against.
Opening the meeting, Melanie Myers welcomed the 20-plus individuals who attended, saying, “I am not here as the mayor but as a resident of the community. “She referred to the needed repairs of the 60-plus year old pool when she said, “We as a community need to figure out where we go forward.”
Figures talked about were $200,000 to $300,000
for the repair of the deck and circulating system, not including repair of the current tub.
Council President Micky Schneider also attended the meeting not as a city official but as someone who lives in Sargent and understands the need of a pool open in the community.
“We need to think of the next 60 years,” Schneider said. “We can’t talk about a new pool now. We tried to hurry the bond to show the state we are committed.”
The community now faces how to get the pool repaired in the next two months with current funds so the pool can be open for swimming lessons and provide a place for children to safely swim in the summer of 2023.
The importance of children swimming in a safe environment was top of the list at the Thursday night meeting. The question asked by several was, “How do you put a price on a child’s life?”
After much discussion, both Myers and Schneider asked for someone to step forward to be on a pool committee, make a plan and bring it to the council. A few stepped up. Anyone who would like to be a part of the planning committee for either repair or funding a new pool is urged to call and volunteer. Call Krystina Rugg at 308-212-2541.
The city will visit with the engineer to get more details on the expense and how volunteer labor could be legally used in the repair.
In closing, both Myers and Schneider urged attendees to remember anything can happen,saying, “We all know 10 people. Call them ask them to call 10 people.”
Schneider referred to living in Sargent, saying, “It is the greatest life we could ask for.”