Cathlamet pool now open

The Julia Butler Hansen Municipal Swimming Pool (JBHMP) opened for the summer on Monday.

“The pool fees will be the same as last year,” Mayor Dick Swart said. “Everybody’s costs are going up, and we are trying to pull the lines so pool patronage wouldn’t be affected by inability to pay.”

Entering her fourth year as pool manager Lynette Ledgerwood is ready for summer. “I’m looking forward to another wonderful season of fun and safety at the pool!” she said.

Ledgerwood has trained four new lifeguards this year, which was really needed. With former lifeguards graduating from high school and moving on to college or the service and some getting married, the timing was perfect.

For every 25 swimmers, there is one lifeguard on duty. A maximum of 75 people are allowed in the pool at any given time. However, Ledgerwood said, she always has at least two lifeguards on duty all the time for safety purposes. For example, it takes a minimum of two people to conduct a back board rescue.

“If the need ever arises, that is what life-guarding is all about,” she said. “Train for the worst, look for the best.”

The pool will be open to the general public from now until August 31. In September, it will be operated for high school and middle school students. The students will be taught water and boating safety.

The school has a canoe with a crack in it. The teacher will be in the water while the students practice bailing out of the boat as it sinks. The water safety program is supported by the school district and the sheriff’s office. Swart said the sheriff will put in money from his own water safety funding. The feedback about the program has been very positive from both parents and teachers alike.

“I’m very grateful that the school district and the sheriff have been able to continue to fund it this year,” Swart said.

The pool is open Monday through Friday for open swim from 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. JBHMP will be closed July 4 and 5, July 19-20, and August 21-23.

The pool will only close for severe weather, mechanical failures or unsafe swimming conditions. The complete pool and fee schedule can be found online at http://www.townofcathlamet.com or by calling 795-6515.