By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Keeping community swimming pools open in small villages may feel like treading water to town leaders who value a place for families to gather, kids to spend their hot summer days, and all ages learn how to swim.
The operating expenses for community pools are ever growing and the hiring of lifeguards and swim instructors is getting tougher by the year.
In Pemberville, the community has managed to keep the pool open for 56 years. That in itself is a feat.
And now, thanks to a former mayor, James Opelt, the pool has a new splash pad for its younger patrons.
The splash pad, which took the place of the former baby pool area, has several water spraying or water falling features for kids. There is a spraying flower and dragon head, a water blaster that kids can spray at each other, and a couple buckets that dump water on often unsuspecting people below.
The kids – and their families – are loving the splash pad, said Kelsey Rollins, pool manager.
“I haven’t heard a single person wish the baby pool was still open,” Rollins said.
The splash pad was dedicated earlier this month by current Mayor Carol Bailey.
“The pool has provided a wonderful, safe place for our residents to cool down, compete and learn for over 50 years, and today we add a new element of fun with the addition of the new splash pad,” Bailey said during the dedication of the new area.
Opelt grew up in Pemberville, and remained there after he retired until his death in 2020. He taught high school theater for 26 years, then started a second career taking large tour groups from Northwest Ohio to live theater performances – often to Broadway shows.
It was during this “retirement” that Opelt served Pemberville by becoming a village council member, then mayor, then council member again.
“Jim was a public servant the entire length of his adult life – a very worthy thing indeed,” Bailey said.
And even in death, he continues to serve, Bailey said. Opelt bequeathed gifts to several organizations – the Pemberville Police Department, the Eastwood Educational Foundation, the Pemberville Historical Society and the Pemberville Community Pool.
“It is his gift to the pool that was used as ‘seed money’ for the splash pad,” Bailey said.
The total cost for the splash pad was $119,000 with more than half coming from Opelt’s estate. Money was also donated by the Eastwood Community Improvement Corporation, and designated by the village from the COVID/ARPA funds.
“He was a big contributor to this pool,” said Village Council member Marcia Mazur. “He loved Pemberville.”
The costs of maintaining a community pool are enough to sink some operations. The new pool liner in 2016 cost $60,000. But town leaders supported the splash pad plans.
“Council was on board from the get-go,” said Village Council member Susie Rahe.
Opelt would be pleased with the addition to the pool, the women agreed.
“He was so hell bent that we were going to make this work,” Mazur said.
“Jim was really dedicated to keep this open,” Rahe said.
While council members may occasionally refer to the pool as a “money pit,” they recognize the value in the community – especially for its youngest residents.
In addition to recreational use, there are swimming lessons, water aerobics classes, swim meets, and rentals for special occasions.
“It is an asset,” Mazur said.
And the concessions stand may start selling pizza soon, in addition to the standard candy and snacks.
“It feeds some of these kids who never go home during the day,” Rollins said.
