WILKIE — There was no swimming at either of the pools in Wilkie Aug. 5 as lifeguards and town staff moved chemicals, swimming accessories, files and other items from the old pool at 301 5th St. W. to the new Delta Co-op Community Pool at 513 1st St. E. The new pool opened with regular programming Aug. 6.
The first swimmers to test the waters were three early-bird aqua-sizers, led by lifeguard Ira Canong.
One of the three, Audrey Fenrich (née Sieben), said her heart was full coming there that day. A lifelong Wilkie pool user, Fenrich grew up practically on the new pool’s doorstep and said coming there was like coming home.
Fenrich currently lives next door to the old pool. While she will miss the convenience of simply popping next door and the sounds of happy children, she is also thrilled with the amenities and location of the new pool.
There may not have been many swimmers in the early hours of the pool’s first day, but pool staff said the turnout for public swimming was about 60 people that afternoon — many times more than the number who had been showing up at the old pool the week before.
Construction on the new pool began in August 2024. The $3.22-million project has been funded primarily by various grants, and a $100,000 donation was received from Delta Co-operative in exchange for naming rights. There have also been a number of sponsors contributing money at different levels, all of which will be recognized on a sponsor wall at the new pool.
As of April, there was still $450,000 to be raised. Sponsorship levels range from $20 to $25,000, and more information is available from the town office.
Pool staff will host their annual water show and barbecue Aug. 20, which will be a great opportunity to check out Wilkie’s new amenity. Along with burgers, hot dogs, pop and water, baking and a raffle table will be available.
