Kellogg pool open for the season

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

KELLOGG — With the other outdoor pool in the Silver Valley being closed for the season, the Kellogg City Pool and it’s staff are ready for a busier than normal year.

As of June 19, the pool has opened its doors and gates to the public for another year of free swimming and new pool manager Elana Estill is excited to meet those who come for a dip.

“I can imagine that the people will probably be my favorite part (of the job) once we get into the full swing of things.”

While this is her first year at the pool, Estill has worked as the college and career counselor at Kellogg High School for five years, so she has a wealth of experience in organizing people, projects, and more. These skills will come in handy as she manages the pool’s five lifeguards and events throughout the summer.

Each of the lifeguards have to be deep water certified before they can start. Several of them completed the training last week, while a couple are returning staff members and already hold their certifications.

While many of the pool events are still in the planning stages, the annual swim lessons starting in July are set to go and are already almost full.

Historically, the pool has always charged a dollar for a full day of swimming, but in light of current construction going on around the city, officials thought making the pool free for everyone to use would be the best course of action.

“With all of the construction we have going on, we thought giving the kids a place to be for free would benefit the whole community,” said Craig Lewis, city of Kellogg public works superintendent. “Anyone who wants to come in, it’ll be free swimming for everybody.”

Safety issues were a key factor and the city saw this as a proactive attempt to help the construction companies minimize some of the usual worries that come with such a large-scale project like the Kellogg Sewer Project.

“The city decided to again absorb the cost for the year,” Lewis said. “We want people to know that we are trying to help out however we can and that the public will have a fun and safe place to be during the construction.”

The pool staff expect a larger than normal turnout this year due to the Wallace City Pool being closed for the season.

Regardless of the increased attendance though, Estill is looking forward to the year, especially after the warm welcome she has received from the city of Kellogg.

“Everyone at the city has been pretty amazing to me so far,” she said. “All I know is I’m excited to be here and I think it will be a great summer!”

The pool is now open to at least mid-August from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lap swimming for adults is also offered from 5-6 p.m.

The facility offers a full-size pool that goes as deep as 12 feet and a smaller kiddie pond as well.

For more information, the pool can be reached at 208-783-1070.