Public pool coming for Noble Co.
Residents of Noble County, get ready to make a splash this summer.
A public pool in the works for several years is expected to open this year, something Caldwell and surrounding area residents have been waiting for since the Happy Time Pool, located at the Noble County Fairgrounds, closed in 2010.
“Opening the pool didn’t work out last year,” said Ty Moore, county commissioner and chairman of the Save the Happy Time Pool Committee. “The pool has been out of commission for seven years and we are excited to get it back up and running.”
The original pool, built in 1965, was called “the pride and joy of Noble County,” and was built through contributions of the residents of Noble County. That facility served the people of the county for 45 years. The county is building a new pool at the site that will feature a zero-level entry, a palm tree that will have water flowing down it in the kiddie pool and diving boards. A new pool is also expected to be an attraction for older community members, as it will eventually offer activities such as water aerobics and lap swimming.
After years of fundraising, the community has successfully raised around $200,000 to re-open the site. In addition, $150,000 was donated by the Community Improvement Corporation.
“We are continuing to get the building up to code and will soon begin to pour concrete into the bottom of the pool,” said Moore. “Out of the 88 counties, there are only three that don’t have public pools including Noble County. We are going to change that.”
The Noble County commissioners authorized a grant application that would add tens of thousands of dollars to a fund to restore Caldwell’s swimming pool last month. The Buckeye Hills Resource Conservation discussed the application for a capital improvement grant through the state legislature for the new pool. After discussion, the Noble County commissioners approved the application for the grant in the amount of $45,000 to help build the new pool.
On top of a grant, many local businesses have donated equipment and supplies to help the pool get functional.
“We donated cement to help,” said Joanne Steed, president of Caldwell Readymix. “Noble County has gone through some hard times. Most of the oil and gas businesses helped out along with us to do this for the community.”
Steed said she hopes that swimming lessons will be available, too.
“Kids need something to do around here and this is what it could be,” she said.
B & N Coal Company Inc. of Caldwell donated equipment.
“We helped out financially and with machines to do the earth work,” said Carl Baker, president of B&N Coal Company Inc. “It hasn’t been just us but a whole community effort.”
Baker said that it’s important to give back to the community where a business is located.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’m glad to help out,” he said. “Now we can have a pool and something a lot for people have put a lot of effort into.”
Moore said that the goal of the pool is to create a safe environment for the children of Noble County. The new pool will be located at the Noble County Fairgrounds, County Road 56 in Caldwell.
“So far everything’s on schedule to get the kids swimming this summer,” said Moore.
At a glance
¯Noble County has begun construction on a new community pool.
¯It will be located at the Noble County Fairgrounds.
¯The Happy Time Pool was located there before shutting its gates in 2010.
¯The pool is on track to opening in summer 2017.
Source: Ty Moore, county commissioner.