"THE BIG BLUE DREAM" - Citizens Organize For Calhoun Swimming Pool

(08/12/2009)

Officers elected to lead "The Big Blue Dream" to bring a swimming
pool to Calhoun County (L to R) Jean Simers and Danielle Stevens,
co-chairs; Donna Steigleder, secretary; Linda Fivecoat, vice-chair

By Bob Weaver

A significant number of Calhoun citizens have organized to lead the effort to build a public swimming pool for the county.

The new group has been identified as "The Big Blue Dream," electing officers: Danielle Stevens and Jean Simers, co-chairs; Linda Fivecoat, vice-chair and Donna Steigleder as secretary.

Family Resource Network's Jean Simers organized the initial meeting, saying swimming plays an important role in a community's health and recreation.

Simers said a survey conducted by the Calhoun chapter of the Red Hat Society indicated the number one need was a swimming pool.

Several dozen citizens recalled their early days learning to swim in the community, including recollections of the closed Grantsville municipal pool.

Large group attends community meeting in courthouse

Linda Fivecoat said "We need a pool in Calhoun. We hope to work together with everyone in the county to get this to happen."

The group, taking a positive approach to make it happen, reviewed some of the obstacles, including obtaining initial funding, choosing a location, and the cost of on-going maintenance.

Several members of the group volunteered to research the operation of swimming pools in the region, and spoke about trying to build an indoor pool for year-round use.

The Big Blue Dream group plans to meet in Arnoldsburg on September 1.