I had to take a week off earlier this month, and when I returned I was surprised to see the county had decided to close the local pool while I was away.
Having missed the fiscal court meeting when the decision was made the week earlier, I was happy Judge-Executive David West attended the City Council meeting the following Monday so I could be brought up to speed about what exactly was going on with the Aquatic Center in Jessamine County.
The same thing is happening in Danville, where I live. The local pool has been threatened to be closed since we moved there two years ago. If the pool is closed, we will all be forced to travel to Harrodsburg to swim.
I don’t know about you, but my family and I live in water come summer. Actually, we would live in the pool year round if the weather allowed.
I enjoy taking my kids to the public pool in the summer, getting them a hot dog or ice cream, and lounging on the beach chairs while they swim wearing themselves out into the evening hours.
Summer is just not the same without being able to jump in a pool.
The news of the local swimming pool being shut down shocked me. What seems to baffle me even more is the thought that a splash park, or splash pad if you’d rather, could take the place of a pool.
I have been to both and experienced both several times in my life, and I am sorry to tell the local officials but a splash park does not in any way make up for the lack of a pool.
Many argued at the city council meeting pools are a revenue hole. I don’t agree with that at all. When run properly, they could increase revenue. I have seen this first hand coming from a place like California.
Since we published our story last week titled “Save the Pool,” many people have approached me wanting to speak out about the city and county possibly closing a great place for families to gather in those warm summer months which are quickly approaching.
Amongst the few who have emailed or called are members of a local swim team.
This pulled on my heartstrings even more since I swam competitively for 12 years growing up. Eager to help, I am reaching out to many others in the community and searching through records to write a story in coming weeks on the aquatics center, what it means to the community and the residents who wish to save it.
A local pool is not just a hole with a bunch of water and chemicals in it. It is a summer stomping ground for the community. It is a place you meet your best friends and swim and play games. It is where you soak up the sun and enjoy a cold ice cream on a hot summer day.
With all the push I see Jessamine County doing in order to keep people local and not have to travel into Lexington, I am surprised to hear those in charge even consider the local pool be closed to residents.
Kids need a place to gather and enjoy safe and clean activities, especially when they are out of school during summer. A pool gives children, teens and adults a place to cool off, relax and get some energy out. I would hate to see Jessamine County lose that.
If you wish to share your story or your views on the topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing me or calling the office.
Together, we can get our voice heard and maybe even save a summer tradition.

Brittany Fuller is the community editor of The Jessamine Journal and Jessamine Life magazine. She can be reached at brittany.fuller@jessaminejournal.com.