CRESTVIEW — Because of a partnership between the Emerald Coast Health Basis and Central Baptist Church, north Okaloosa County residents can take pleasure in a community pool similar to many coastal residents.
Since 2015, the nonprofit basis has operated the neighborhood swimming swimming pools on the Bernie R. LeFebvre Aquatic Center (aka “The Bernie”) in Fort Walton Seaside and the Aquatic Heart in Destin, each former YMCA services.
This previous Tuesday, the inspiration signed a one-year lease with Central Baptist Church to function the church’s five-lane, 25-yard Leisure Outreach Heart (ROC) pool at 1105 S. Pearl St. in Crestview.
“We’re completely thrilled to have the ability to present this chance to all north county residents,” basis Treasurer Kathi Heapy mentioned.
Preliminary packages on the out of doors pool embody swim classes, mum or dad and tot lessons, and Aqua Zumba. Basis officers are engaged on getting lifeguards educated and authorized so morning lap swim and Saturday afternoon open swim classes can start in mid-June.
Individuals can comply with the “The ROC Pool” on Fb and join lessons at rocpool.square.site.
Heapy mentioned many Crestview-area dad and mom are enthusiastic about with the ability to convey their youngsters to the pool for swim classes as an alternative of getting to drive to The Bernie.
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“There are not any seashores within the north county space, however there are lots of lakes and rivers,” Heapy mentioned. “Children have to discover ways to swim. The teachings save lives.”
The Crestview Crusaders summer time swim league staff plans to start practising on the pool on Monday and begin their common season June 11. And as fall approaches, basis officers hope {that a} Crestview Excessive Faculty swim staff will change into a actuality and start coaching on the pool.
Based on the inspiration, coach Kay Smith, who has served a number of years on the inspiration employees at The Bernie, will train classes, coach the Crusaders and lifeguard on the ROC pool. She’s going to collaborate with Katie Searles on pool operations, program choices and neighborhood relations.
District 1 Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon, a pastor of Central Baptist Church, mentioned the church admires the way in which the inspiration operates the neighborhood swimming pools in Fort Walton Seaside and Destin.
Whereas the ROC pool has been open for some common public use up to now, “This yr, we thought it might be good to supply the usage of the pool countywide” by partnering with the inspiration, he mentioned.
Beneath the lease settlement, the inspiration can pay a portion of the utility prices for the pool facility however is just not charged a lease price, Mixon mentioned.
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Heapy mentioned the inspiration hopes to safe a long-term lease of the pool later. Whereas lesson and membership charges will assist offset working bills, basis officers hope to boost greater than $5,000 to purchase and set up a pool heater for lap swim and college staff classes and to make it usable year-round.
Potential enterprise sponsors and donors, in addition to people who find themselves interested by working as a lifeguard or teacher on the pool, are requested to contact the inspiration by e-mail at therocpool@gmail.com.
