New Hermon pool could be just a start

HERMON – While spring seems reluctant to arrive, officials in Hermon are already talking summer.

Earlier this month, councilors approved a recreation department proposal to build an aboveground swimming pool for use in the summer recreation program. The pool, which is 26 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep, also would be made available by reservation for residents of Hermon, and, if it is successful, could be a springboard to bigger and better things, according to the town’s recreation director Dean Watson.

Watson envisions a time when Hermon would need a larger, in-ground pool, possibly enclosed for more year-round use. But for now, “we’re going to start small,” Watson said. The pool will be large enough for about 20 to 25 people to splash around in at the same time or, alternatively, sufficient for several people to use for swimming laps.

The $5,410 price tag for the pool will come from the department’s existing enterprise funds, although Watson is hopeful it will pay for itself in relatively short order.

Having the pool could attract more young people to the summer recreation program who may have been going elsewhere for swimming and wading. Each youth that participates in the summer recreation program brings in $75 per week or about $900 for the whole summer.

Watson also thinks the town could charge a small fee for residents wanting to use the pool for birthday parties or as a way to escape the heat.

To assuage concerns, Watson told the council that summer staff members are being trained in first aid and CPR and will be on hand when the summer youth program is using the pool. Rules for using the pool will be developed, he said.

The pool, to be located near the elementary school on the other side of the baseball centerfield fence and next to the community playground, will be protected by an 8-foot fence, two feet taller than what Watson had initially told the council. The pool will be visible from the road and use motion-detecting lights at night.