Holder Park pool could open by this weekend

After multiple delays, Cairo city officials hope to open Holder Park pool by this weekend so that local residents can enjoy the refreshing water a little while before school reopens next Friday.

Required repairs to the swimming pool were completed in late June, but then the city had difficulty in recruiting a sufficient number of certified lifeguards to man the pool.

Cairo city manager Chris Addleton said that the lifeguards have been certified and properly trained, and all that is needed now is an inspection by environmental specialists with the Grady County Health Department.

“I’m hopeful we can have the pool open by the weekend. I know everyone would like to know an exact day and time, but right now I can’t say,” Addleton said.

Should the Health Department inspector come back with a punch list of issues for the city to address, Addleton says the city will need time to correct those issues.

The city manager applauded the efforts of Mayor Booker Gainor to reach out to an instructor who could train and help certify lifeguards after it was discovered the person the city has typically used had unfortunately allowed his certification to lapse.

Mayor Gainor told the council he was certified and would be volunteering his service as a lifeguard at no cost to the city when the pool opens. Addleton said the pool will remain open on weekends for a period of time after school reopens.

The mayor asked the council to consider in the future providing a shelter for parents to have protection from the sun, but be able to sit, relax and watch the children swim. “It would help the draw,” Mayor Gainor said.

Cox Pools of Dothan completed the required work on the pool, which had to be finished before Public Health would consider issuing a certificate to open the pool. According to the city manager, he was very pleased with the contractor’s work.