GRANTSVILLE POOL WILL BE DEMOLISHED - Back To The Ole Swimming' Hole

(06/09/2005)

Grantsville municipal swimming pool, the only public pool in the county, will soon undergo the wrecking ball.

Calhoun kids will revert to the days of yesteryear - the ole swimming' hole.

Grantsville town council voted to close the facility, facing major mechanical and financial hurdles to keep it operating.

Grantsville's pool was among several in the state that closed this year by small towns, mostly because of the lack of funds.

The town has employed David Cain to complete the demolition and fill the pool, indicating the area will become part of the town park.

Cain, according the council minutes, was given a demolition contract of $4,180.

The roof has already been removed from the bath house and some of the equipment donated to other facilities.

The pool was built in 1962 through the efforts of the Grantsville Women's Club and a $2,500 donation by Dr. H. C. Toepher, whose daughter Emily was among several high school students in the late '50s that began an effort to bring a pool to the county.

Emily Toepher, who suffered severe juvenile diabetes, died a short time later.

Mayor Neil Blankenship has said the money that would have been used to operate the pool will likely be diverted to street repairs.