Community dives into new pool season

The Red Oak Municipal Pool is once again open to help residents of Red Oak and the surrounding area beat the heat this summer.
The pool reopened to the public after COVID-19, and pool manager Georgana Derr is returning for her third year in a row in the position, one that Derr said she adores.
“I absolutely love being the manager, I love the patrons that we have, and I love our staff. Most of my staff actually came back this year,” said Derr.
Out of 36 staff at the pool during the 2024 summer season, Derr said she only has five new staff members this season.
“I have some fantastic assistant managers who work in the school, so they’re a little older and more mature. And that’s really helpful to recruit and retain our kids. We have a great staff, great patrons, and I just love our pool. Every year, I want to see it open,” commented Derr.
Also, unlike some years past, they had a goal for the pool’s opening date, and they were able to meet it.
“We scheduled our opening for the last day of school and we were open. It was cold, but we were open. I was really proud. I just wish the weather would have cooperated because we hired our staff and got them all onboarded in March, and then Clint Roland with the water department and city administrator Lisa Kotter were huge in supporting our pool and making sure everything was working and that we had water and that our samples got sent off. I cannot thank them enough. Lisa is a huge supporter of the pool and she wanted to see it open as well,” advised Derr. “I think that we opened before anybody else. Even though it was a little chilly, we still had people.”
Prepping the pool for opening, Derr said, requires much more than simply filling it and opening the doors.
“There’s a lot of moving “There’s a lot of moving parts. We have to make sure the pumps are all working correctly, we have to make sure the water is tested and balanced and those samples get sent off to the state. And then of course you have to have staff and make sure they’re trained and ready to go by the time that you’re open,” Derr stated. “Also, unlike last year, there were no tornadoes. With all the clean up involved and city staff assisting in that, they couldn’t get the pool prepped until later.”
With the new and returning staff totaling 36, Derr said they are operating with all the needed employees.
“For the second year in a row, we are full, and I have a wait list of guards that have applied. So hopefully I can get them hired. To keep that roster full the biggest thing I do is it’s a year round recruiting. I’m constantly asking kids when they turn 15 and then making sure that they get signed up at the YMCA to go take the lifeguarding program so that they are ready by the time that we are ready to go to open. My assistant manager also works at the high school, so she’s getting to see kids and remind them when it’s time for applications to be turned in or that need to go take their class. I recruit from sports teams, I recruit from anywhere. If I see someone doing a really good job, I’m quick to ask them if they want a summer job.”
Recruiting has also been assisted, Derr said, by increases in wages and help with training by reimbursing the recruits after they’ve worked 75 hours, a policy also used by the Montgomery County Family YMCA. Having such large staff numbers really makes the experience better for patrons.
“It was only about two years ago where we had just enough lifeguards to be open and we would have to sometimes switch areas that were open. Now I hope that people realize everything is open seven days a week. We only close for weather. I think that’s huge. I still sometimes will hear people say that we weren’t open, and I’ll tell then that’s not correct. Last year we were only closed three days in total because of weather. This year we’ve already had three closures, again due to the weather being very cold and not ideal for swimming,” explained Derr. 
This year, Derr said they have a few new features to the pool programming for patrons.
“Group swim lessons are being offered again, it’s been many years since we did group lessons. We have a session from July 7 through 11, at a cost of $40. We also offer private lessons all the time, and they’re $60. The patron and the instructor will schedule five 30-minute lessons. We’re going to start doing water aerobics again this week, and that’s included with the price of admission,” said Derr.
Programs that were introduced last year, Derr said, are still going strong this season.
“We do toddler time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. We’re also offering lap swim Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. Starting in July, we’re going to start our theme weeks again, where we do games and contests and prizes. We also have a book library with Altrusa, and it’s fun to see different books come through. I know people are using it because I see books disappear and new ones appear in their place.”
On June 25, Derr said from 2:30 to 4 p.m., the ISU extension is hosting its sprout and splash program at the gate. The upcoming session is about farm animals in preparation for the Montgomery County Fair. In July, Derr said they are planning for some twilight swims at night when they don’t have parties. If anyone wants to book a birthday party, they can do so during the regular pool hours for the normal admission. If anyone wants to rent the pool after hours, it’s $400 for two hours.
The Glenwood community has announced that it will not be opening this summer due to issues. Derr said that’s caused an uptick in their attendance.
“We did recently get a bunch of Glenwood people visiting the pool. We also recently got a ton of people from Griswold. There’s been this resurgence of visitors from Griswold. During the week it’s mostly Red Oak people, but on the weekend, it’s always really interesting. We even get people from Omaha or Des Moines who are passing through or visiting family,” Derr advised. “Turnout has been really good, especially on our warm days. It’s really busy when the temperatures are 90 degrees and above, and we had enough lifeguards and things went really well. Our concession stand is still being run by the Kellys and that’s going fantastic. They keep it stocked and they are always open and she keeps the prices very affordable.”
Derr also praised the availability of a Facebook page for the pool, which has made sharing information much easier.
“I update it every single day, and then on the city’s web page, we have our own landing page just for the pool, which is updated. So when people go and Google us, they get the correct information. For a long time, it was coming up with stuff that was very, very old and incorrect, and that was frustrating,” stated Derr.
Additionally, Derr said the feedback she’s been getting from the patrons has been very positive.
“They appreciate that it’s well staffed and there’s enough lifeguards to watch everything. I think people are feeling a lot more comfortable with letting their kids come. As I’ve said for years, I want all of the kids to come to the pool like it’s safe. Miss Josie from the elementary school works here. We know your kids and love your kids and we want them to be here. We’ll make sure they have sun block. Thanks to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, we get free sun block,” commented Derr.
“Now that we’ve been rolling for a couple years and have had consistent management, consistent staffing, and being consistently open, I think they remember now that the pool is here.”
Some repairs to the pool will be coming soon. The mat at the bottom of the baby slide will be replaced soon. Derr said an announcement will be made when the time comes. Also, the bubble in the pool lining has had the air removed, has been patched, and is performing well. Derr said they have all types of admission costs to suit everyone’s needs.
“My biggest feedback from last year was that people wanted the family passes back, so we brought back our family passes. It’s $200 for a family of up to five, two adults and three kids. “Individuals season passes are $75. As for daily admissions, kids three and under get in free; if you’re four to 64, it’s $5. If you’re 65 and above, it’s $2. We also offer punch cards. You get five entries for $20. So basically buy four, get one free. We keep the punch card here. Also, the biggest thing this year is we take credit cards. You can now pay with a check, cash, or card here for the pool passes and admission only. The concession stand is still cash only.”
Derr said the pool will be open daily, unless interrupted by weather, through much of August.
“I have to end before the state fair because I lose all my staff. So Sunday, Aug. 17 will be our last day of being open full-time. Depending on the weather we may do some weekends after that,” said Derr. 
The pool is open Monday through Friday with open swimming from 1 to 6 p.m. every single day. Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. is lap swimming. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is toddler time, and the pool is open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Anyone with questions can email redoakoutdoorpool@gmail.com, call the pool at (712) 370-0256, visit the web page at city.redoakiowa.com/services/outside_pool_.php, or visit the Facebook page at  facebook.com/p/Outdoor-Swimming-Pool-City-of-Red-Oak-61559819617243/.