Toccoa Community Pool to Remain Closed This Summer

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

Every year, dozens of Toccoa-Stephens County residents look forward to keeping cool at the Doyle St. community pool.

But this year, that won’t happen.

Toccoa-Stephens County YMCA CEO Robin Dake said Tuesday the community pool will not open this summer.  Dake said two problems have come up that have forced the decision to keep the pool closed.

“One of the problems is we found two major leaks that we could not repair this summer,” said Dake. “In addition, the pump is not working and that is really the key. When the pump is not working, we cannot keep the water clean and the pump repairs have turned out to be much more complicated than we anticipated.”

Dake said that the YMCA apologizes for the situation, but says it is hoped some other options for a water recreation area pool could be discussed in the near future.

“We are thinking about some different alternatives, not just for the YMCA but for the community in general, and we are looking forward to working with (city) commissioners to flesh out some of these alternatives,” said Dake.

The YMCA operates the Doyle St. Pool for the  City of Toccoa under a management agreement.

 

That agreement stipulates that any decision to repair pool facilities other than routine maintenance shall be determined by the Toccoa City Commission on an as-needed basis.  However, in recent years, concerns have been raised by the city about putting a lot of money into the pool for repairs, considering its age.

Dake said it is up to the city to determine what happens to the pool over the long-term.

“Ultimately, the pool does belong to the city of Toccoa, so it is ultimately the city’s decision,” said Dake. “However, the YMCA believes that this pool is a great community asset, whether it is this pool or another form of water recreation.”

Dake said she hopes the YMCA would be included in any discussions about providing future water recreation.