University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1915-10-14
A MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL,

ment for its young people. There Is
no place to swim in summer; no
place to skate in winter There are
no supervised Fairgrounds. There is
not even a park where one can spend
the leisure hours. Columbia has neg
lected these things. Every youth
seeks for amusement Unwholesome
amusement is found everywhere. But
wholesome amusements must be pro-
vided, and il they are not, the youth
will take to the unwholesome.
The problem of providing a park in
Columbia is a difficult one, since the e
is no available site. One thing Co.
lumbia could undertake with far less
difficulty is a municipal swimming
pool, and wholesome amusement for
the young and for those not quite so
young would thus be provided.
For years Lexington, Mo-, had an
eyesore worse than Columbia's high
ly advertised scrap iron pile. 1t was
a big slough, and was a most dis
graceful sight for the town, people
said. Last year someone was seized
with the idea that the big hole would
make an excellent site for a SWIM
ming pool, something which the town
had long felt the need of. The peo-
pie of the town favored the idea, and
bonds were issued to erect hand
some concrete pool and a bathhouse
fully equipped with lockers. A con-
siderable portion of the debt was
erased by the sale of ticket books,
good for twenty-five plunges. which
sold for $40 each. The pool is ex-
pected to do better than pay for it.
self. After the debt is paid, the only
expense will be for the water used
and for the work of one man to take
care of the place.
The pool ranges from two and one
half to ten feet deep. There are div
ing boards along the sides. Twenty
five cents admission is charged, al
though the amount undoubtedly will
be lowered when the debt is paid.
Bathing suits can be rented for 10
cents. Towels are furnished free. The
water is changed every two or three
days. The pool Is full Of swimmers
practically all the time in warm
weather, it is said. Although muni-
cipal pool. it is under the manage
ment of the board of education. Sew
eral articles have appeared in the
magazines about it. Undoubtedly it
is the best advertisement Lexington
has ever had, as well as source of
joy to the young people of the town.
West Plains, Mo-, town Of 1000.
also has a swimming pool. The cost
was surprisingly low, being some
where between $3.50 and $780,. The
site is in the city park and was Sc
cured without expense. The walls
and bottom of the pool are Of con-
crete. It is los feet long and 80 feet
wide, ranging in depth from 21k tol
IN feet. The capacity is 10000 gal
Ions. Along the sides are two pub
lie lighthouses and several owned
privately. The water is piped from
a spring outside the town and costs |
The only expenses are a |
small charge which the city makes to |
pump the water and the wages of one |
man who collects admissions. changes |
the water and takes care of the place.
The money to build the pool was
raised by private subscription. Three
business men were selected to super
intend the work of construction, anc
It has been under their supervision
since completion.
The pool was success from the
start. Sunday is the big day of the
week. The Sunday crowd. averages
nearly $50.
Not only is the water changed ev-
sry few days but also there is fixed
-ule that users of the pool must take
i shower bath before entering the