At Long Last... The City Pool Opens Wednesday!

"This pool has offered me so many opportunities...I wouldn't be who I am today without the pool being part of my life," stated Malta City Pool manager, Shay Garfield. "The best part of my childhood was coming here and doing swim team!"

Shay's love for the pool and crisp clear blue waters waiting to be set into ripple mode with the splash of a kid diving is one that many youngsters look forward to. Some have been anxious and some are starting to wear on their parents' nerves as they, too, like Shay, all are "chomping at the bit" for the pool to open.

Wednesday morning the pool is set to open!

There has been a delay as the weather has been playing havoc and causing one delay after another. Hopefully the "Malta Monsoon" is behind us now. The pool has been cleaned, retiled, filled, and it is waiting to be kid tested to see if it meets the approval of the young and the old.

Shay has two returning life guards, Danika Wilke and Addison Ulrich, and with the addition of new faces the team is welcoming visitors. This season Malin Beck, Carly Garfield, Denvyr Tuss, Lola Snell, and Kale Young will serve as lifeguards. Darrow Messerly will be the coach for the swim team again this year.

Training and qualifications for becoming a life guard include passing a CPR class and swim test. The swimming test consists of being at least 15 years of age, able to swim 300 yards in under 20 minutes; dive into the deep end of the pool and retrieve a brick.

During the day, life guards rotate every 15 minutes; their safety is a concern for it allows for them to rotate to different positions so they view all angles of the pool.

There will be a level one and a level two for lessons; there will be four kids taught at a time in each level. Lessons will last until the first week of August.

A three-year-old signed up for lessons on Friday and there is no age limit. Exposure to the water and basics are instilled in the children in a hope that even if they don't complete lessons, they will become exposed to the water. In the event that they end up in the water, they will at least remember, "Oh, I learned this and I should put my head back and kick."

Though the ideal number to have on staff for lifeguards is 12-15, they are not taking applications now. This is due to the fact that the certifying trainer comes from Harlem and there is no time to train anyone else. With this shortage, there may be days the pool is closed due to staff shortage, as four lifeguards are needed poolside and one is needed in the office.

Shay regrets that there will not be any "baby and me" swim lesson sessions for moms with infants this year.

As to swimmers, there is no height requirement; as long as they can touch the floor of the pool and bob enough to keep their head above water for breathing, they will be given a chance.

The pool will offer sponsor days again this summer; families or businesses can sponsor a day at the pool by offering to cover gate fees and/or treats such as popsicles. Contact the City office if you are interested.

Shay shared that the pool is a bully-free zone and if there is any form of bullying going on, the students need to tell their parent or a lifeguard. "What we don't know about, we can't address and stop," Shay added.

Shay appreciates the City staff, PWD Truelove and all those who have helped in preparation for this day. "We have some long shifts ahead of us; I have a good group and I'm ready to take on the commitment; I am excited!"

Learning to swim is a part of learning in life that will never leave you, it never hurts to be exposed to the water so you know what to do in case you accidently end up in it. There is always the possibility the life you save may not be your own...as was the case for Janice Knudsen on Nov. 6, 1997. There is one little kid still with us thanks to her quick thinking and skills.

Yes, it does take a village to raise a kid...and sometimes even more.