We are pleased to see the Purple City preparing to make the summer months a fun time for local children and families.

City crews were spotted this week, working to repair a main waterline that feeds the pool. Built in the 1930s, the line has broken more than once, but according to Martins Ferry Park District Board President Larry Deaton, the only cost to the city for repairs is the wages for the workers and, this time, about $200 for materials.

Paying for a few employees’ hourly wages seems like a relatively small cost to pay to help ensure young people have a safe place to go and spend time being active when school lets out.

The pool is scheduled to opens May 29, and Deaton said additional steps will be taken in the next few days to be sure there are other problems that need to be addressed before opening day.

Although most public pools in the Ohio Valley have lost money in recent years, that was not the case in Martins Ferry in 2016. An overall loss of population and lack of interest are driving the decline in pool use, Deaton said, but Martins Ferry leaders took steps to make their pool more attractive.

In addition to striving to keep the facility itself in good repair, pool Manager Bobbie Howard got creative last year and introduced new events and activities at the pool that generated additional revenue. Activities such as moonlight swims complete with movies and opportunities to spend recreational time with members of the city police department drew many people to the pool at times when they wouldn’t otherwise have considered it.

Officials also made visits to the pool more affordable.

“We did the moonlight swims, and we reduced the cost of admission for students from $3 to $1. We got a lot more kids coming to the pool and made more money by reducing the admission cost. Every kid can scrape together a dollar,” Howard said.

The cost of admission for students 18 and under will remain $1, and children 4 and under will be admitted free of charge.

We applaud city leaders for using common sense and creativity to make the city pool fun and affordable for all residents, especially youngsters.