Marengo pool popular in first month

MARENGO — The new Marengo swimming pool brought in $11,000 at the gate in the its first full month of operation and brought in another $7,500 at the concession stand, pool manager Shawn Huedepohl told the Marengo City Council last week.

Six families rented the pool for parties, said Huedepohl, and party dates for the rest of the summer are full.

Huedepohl said he’s seen cars from Polk County, Union County and Johnson County at the pool, and a couple of families from Williamsburg drive to Marengo to use the pool. “They were impressed by what we have,” Huedepohl said.

The pool staff is doing a great job, said Huedepohl, even though only one has pool experience.

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“Every parent I’ve stopped and talked to compliments us,” said Huedepohl.

The pool served 160 people a day in June, said Huedepohl. Attendance had fallen off a little in July, but the day of the council meeting, 169 people had used the pool.

“It sure seems busy,” said Marengo Mayor Adam Rabe.

Huedepohl noted some things the city might want to consider for next year. The pool closes a couple of lanes for adult swimming from 6:30-7:30 p.m., but some swimmers say they’d like to have time in the morning.

It would be fairly easy to get a couple of lifeguards for that, said Huedepohl. The students who aren’t in sports would be available.

Library Director Jackie Jordan said some people have told her there isn’t enough shade at the pool.

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Some grandmothers who take their children to the pool can’t handle the heat, Jordan said. The city might think about putting up an awning in addition to the umbrellas.