Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Time to read
2 minutes
Read so far

Swimming pool ready for season

Posted in:

HARTINGTON — The sounds of a new season could be heard throughout Felber Park the past few days.

The first sounds that could be heard Friday as preparations for a new season were underway at the Hartington Municipal Swimming Pool were the rhythmic vocals of the latest Taylor Swift song. 

The second might have been Haley Becker’s laugh.

That laugh could also be heard Sunday when the pool officially opened for the new season.

Getting the pool ready for a new season was made easier because of an experienced lifeguard staff.

“We have such a great group of guards here,” Becker said of her team. “Their hard work really makes it less stressful and we can enjoy working here.”

That hasn’t always been the case for Becker, who is in her third year as pool manager.

Quite a few changes have taken place at the 24 year-old pool since she has taken command.

“Last year we installed the liquid chlorine system and that’s really made it easier to maintain and take care of the pool,” she said. “There’s no more guesswork on tablets or anything like that. Every day we can come in to a crystal-clear pool — you can see right to the bottom.”

An admitted “must-organizer,” Becker said that establishing structure at the pool has been beneficial for not just her employees, but for guests, too.

“This didn’t come with a manual,” she said with a laugh. “But I want to give credit to the Park Board the last few years. And all of the staff we’ve had. They really do a great job and support the pool. We’re all very thankful for that.”

The pool floor received a fresh coat of paint during the off-season, which saved a few cleaning days for Becker’s staff. The guard staff sits at 11 plus Becker. They’re path to the chair begins with hiring in February. Mostly high school and college students.

Team members can’t be afraid of hard work.

“They have to get on their hands and knees. We all do,” Becker said. “It’s manual labor, but it’s a fun time.”

And that’s what 75-100 daily guests to the local pool can expect — a good time.

Outside of normal pool hours, the pool will again host a home swim meet and the end of the year party. Those are the big events, according to Becker.

“We get a lot of birthday parties, too. We really just want people to come out and enjoy the pool,” she said.

Becker herself has seen a lot of birthdays. This is her ninth year working at the pool.

“You have your regulars, your pool rats,” Becker said kindly. “Those are some of our favorites.”

She has also graduated a class of swimmers who she taught from Level 1 to Level 6. 

“It’s exciting to see them all the way through the class, and then have them come back to the pool, you already know them,” Becker said.

While swimming lessons return this year, a session for three and four-year-olds has been added.

Level 1 classes begin at five years old, the younger group is the same, but is more hands-on during.

“Some of that is keeping their attention, some of that is their swim level, but we’ve found they just need the extra time with our guards,” Becker said of the youngest swimmers.

In an effort to keep all classes personal, Becker said they hired extra help.

To read more please log in or subscribe to the digital edition https://etypeservices.com/Northeast%20Nebraska%20News%20CompanyID379/