The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

If it's summer in Big Sandy, then it's pool season. The pool opened a little later than usual due to water quality and water filter problems. But the pool is open! Children and families are welcome to enjoy the pool all summer in the afternoons and evenings as has been the case for over 70 years. That's the good news.

The bad news is that we do not know how much longer we will be able to keep the pool operating. Every year we apply more band-aids and make more repairs, bringing us closer to the time when we will have to close the pool permanently. Our only reliable plan is to build a new pool for the community.

You have, no doubt, heard about the plans to build a new pool. Perhaps, you have seen the fund-raising thermometer in front of the Library announcing that we have raised over $550,000 to date for the pool. We still have a long way to go, so we are appealing to the community to help us by supporting this effort.

Think about this: For over 70 years generations of community children have learned to swim in the community pool. Hundreds of youth have learned to life guard and save lives. Thousands of children and adults have enjoyed hours upon hours of recreation and fun in the sun at our pool. We do NOT want to see this legacy vanish into the past.

We believe in the future of Big Sandy. We refuse to allow our community treasures to be relegated to the dustbin of Big Sandy history. So please give.

At present, we are working on completing a $25,000 matching grant from the Browning/Kimball Foundation toward this project, so every dollar you give will be doubled.

Make checks payable to: Town of Big Sandy (Pool Fund)

Either drop it off at City Hall or mail it to: PO Box 381, Big Sandy, MT, 59520.

(Your gift will be deposited in trust account for parks and recreation and will be accountable to the town and tax deductable.)