BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County officials announced Monday that the public swimming pool will not reopen this Sunday as initially projected.

Deputy Judge Executive Carolea Mills had hoped for a June 1 opening. However, excessive rainfall throughout May delayed ongoing repairs.

“We are making several repairs and upgrades to the filtration system and facility,” Mills said. “The weather has just slowed us down.”

Mills said she remains optimistic that work and state inspections will proceed quickly.

“We are excited to have the community treasure brought back to life,” she said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience.”

Mills will announce a new grand reopening date once the facility is ready.

“Hopefully soon,” she added.

Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty and the fiscal court initiated the reopening project last fall. Since then, the county has upgraded the restrooms and other fixtures at the 49-year-old facility in Ray Fields Park.

Aquatics Construction completed underground work last week.

At a fiscal court meeting Thursday, Lafferty said staffing efforts are underway. Big Sandy Area Community Action Program is funding up to 15 lifeguards, and applications are available in the judge’s office.

Once open, the pool will offer swim lessons and “dive-in” movie nights and potentially host regional swim meets.

The pool, first opened in 1976, has long been a focal point of summer in Martin County. It last opened in the summer of 2016, with officials citing high repair and operating costs as the reasons for not opening it in 2017.

Lafferty assured that the reopening delay is temporary and that work will continue until the site is ready.

“It will be soon,” he said.