Making a splash this summer
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Jennifer Kellner
MOUNT AYR, IA – After the new pool at Judge Lewis Park officially opened on May 31, summer swimmers have made a big splash.
The pool welcomed over 300 swimmers during opening weekend. Just over 150 swimmers enjoyed cooling off Saturday, and the pool welcomed 168 people on Sunday.
Daily pool use averaged 150 people a day during the month of June, with the highest daily attendance, 289, recorded on June 11.
Although bad weather affected total admission counts a handful of days, attendance topped 200 on six days during June.
Daily attendance started off strong in July, with 253 people at the pool on the first day of the month, 120 people on the second day, and 218 people dipped their toes in on July 3.
Then attendance dropped off a bit during the Ringgold County Fair. July average daily attendance was 132, a bit lower than June.
Then, daily pool use picked up again during the last two weeks of July, with over 200 people enjoying the pool on July 22 and 29.
“I think it’s the best thing you can do,” Koda Henle said, “you meet a bunch of people.”
“You really get to know your co-workers,” Trace Knapp stated.
“Not just co-workers, but other people that come too,” Henle chimed in.
Both Henle and Knapp worked as lifeguards this summer, and plan to return to their post again next summer.
The green slide has been a town favorite according to the lifeguards on duty around noon on Monday.
The majority of pool users purchased a daily pass, and many other swimmers purchased evening pool passes were also utilized (see table 1 above).
A total of 123 family passes were sold for 2025, while 51 people purchased individual pool passes.
Additionally, 58 kids signed up for public swimming lessons, and 31 kids took private swimming lessons.
Pool parties were also popular during June and July, with 38 parties scheduled.
