Nothing made me happier at any city council or fiscal court meeting I have sat in yet than last week when fiscal court reversed its decision on the community pool, and then again, this week, when the city commission approved moving forward with a new pool management company and keeping the aquatic center open for another summer.
I want to applaud all who worked on making this happen in the community.
I know there were many people who had a hand in the process, like Judge Executive David West.
Although, from the meetings I have sat in on, it is clear to see this has been City Commissioner Alex Carter’s mission to not only save summer for the community by making sure the pool stays open, but to do so in a way that can turn a profit for the city and county which would hopefully continue to keep the facility open for many years to come.
Fresh into his role as a city commissioner, Alex Carter wasted no time jumping into a sinking issue in the community and worked hard to find a way to save the pool.
I must say, I believe a great option was found and it will benefit all involved as it continues to evolve and turn a profit for the community.
As I have stated in a previous column, pools can be profitable when managed right.
It looks like the city and county are on a better path then they were before and hopefully the new pool management company they hired will help turn a profit for a great local community past time – the public swimming pool.
Although this seems to be a trial run with the management company, my fingers are crossed that the whole community will turn out in droves throughout the summer months and help turn a profit so the leaders in the community see how beneficial a public swimming pool is when managed correctly.
I am still learning a lot in my role here in the community, and I must say, one of the most shocking things I discovered was when the city commission was talking about the pool and how they have never seen a dime come in from the facility.
I am not an expert, but why would you pay money out for a service and not receive even the littlest bit of a profit in return?
Much like the city did not when they contracted with the YMCA over the last 17-years to run the aquatic center.
Not only was the YMCA profiting from the city and county paying them a yearly fee, but they were also keeping the profits while doing so.
When looked at that way, I guess anyone could see the project as a sinking ship.
I am just glad there are newly-elected individuals in office who see the potential and what a great entity like this can and should be for profit in the community.
Splash pads may be fun, but they don’t take the place of a pool.
In the fall, I hope to hear great things when the city and county meet and receive feedback on how well the pool did during its first summer under new management.
No matter what, the community wins, and everyone will be a whole lot happier this summer with ice cream in their hand and their toes in cool water at the local swimming pool.

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