Good news on the front page of tonight's MC Star -- the pool is to open June 22nd with manager and lifeguards!

Two thumbs up and I look forward to bringing the kids.

Now we just need those triple digit temperatures! Can't enjoy the pool or ripen tomatoes without 'em!

I grew up with April in Malta. She was always at the swimming pool and was an amazing swimmer. She is a great lady and awesome Mom. Miles City is lucky to have her managing this summer.

Correct me if I'm wrong- I realize I'm just asking for trouble with that statement - But the article as I read it wasn't talking about the pool. The first line clearly stated, "Miles City's Natural Oasis will once again be fully staffed and open to the public beginning Monday, June 22, weather permitting."

It did mention April is the new "Pool Manager" (That was the title of the article) But I didn't see anywhere that it said "the pool" would be open on the 22nd. And no, I don't count The Oasis as a pool!

I'm not calling the "Natural Oasis" a cesspool, but a cesspool is, by definition, a pool, right? Just askin' is all.

Well, it's been the pool for the past 47 years for me, so I still call it the pool, that or Scanlan Lake. True, the water is not clear, your toes will tangle in underwater grasses, and you are not alone when swimming, but I like it. Now, the ants on the beach are another thing. That big ant hill on the north end has got to go.

I'm sure something lives in that big hole under the high dive, just waiting for spring fill so it can have more room to explore.

My daughter has been a Lifeguard at the "Oasis" for Three years (minus last year) and is again for this season....I do not know if everyone is aware, but, they do treat the water everyday. They use a chemical that takes care of the algea and such. It really is a safe place to swim....besides....someones got to babysit all day and everyday during the summer!!!

Spotted Eagle is the place with the high bacterial counts. Shudder. Why anyone would swim there mystifies me. They treat the water and test it regularly at the city pool and it exceeds lake standards by a huge margin. The current city administration is dedicated to making sure the pool is a good and safe place to swim. And build sandcastles. I love to build sandcastles!

I swam in that "pool" for many years and NEVER became ill. It was one of the great delights of growing up in Miles City, and a source of wonderful memories. I took my daughter there to swim years ago when she was small and she thought it was wonderful, too. She asked why we didn't have a "real pool" in Great Falls like the one in Miles City. I told her that we just weren't that fortunate

Donna, I to have very fond memories of the pool, I glad to see it up and running. However; there is something in that big hole I'm with Amoo on that one.

I don't understand the people who want to complain that it's not a pool!! Why should it matter if it doesn't have the cement bottom?? those just hurt more when you dive!!
ok for the people who don't know it the Oasis is as much a part of MC and the Bucking Horse Sale. and YES it is ARE POOL!!!

I spent a lot of time in that pool in the 1940's and when the nearby harmony hangout was in full swing.

This afternoon we drove by the pool. Just having the plywood off the sides of the diving board structure and the actual diving boards in place made the pool look a whole lot better. Me thinks some paint has been applied as well.

Weather forecast for Monday in the low 80s with 40% or less chance of showers. Where did I put my goggles because I'm going to find out what is in the hole beneath the high board -- I smell tourist trap in the making.

I kid you not! I jumped off the high dive when I was a kid and having the aerodynamic properties of a big ass rock I sunk to the bottom of the hole before starting back up. I swear as I was wondering if I'd ever surface again I saw two big eyes glaring at me though the mud soaked waters and only managed to panic my way to the top seconds before being consumed by IT. Never again will I jump off the high dive without seeing the bottom.

Or at least that's the way I remember it.

[This message has been edited by Chuck Schott (6/22/2009)]

Thats Hilarious!!! When the Oasis is dry....theres nothing in the hole!!! Oh wait, Chelsea just told me that there was something but they trapped it last week and fed it to the guppies!!!! Happy swimming everyone!!!

Well, the pool report on opening day. Two thumbs up. The parents I talked with -- two to be precise -- agreed with me that it was great having the pool back to normal. Yes, I realize it is costly. Worth it? You bet. Kids are safer than when swimming alone. The pool looks better to visitors just entering town. And, how about the employment for a number of Mile City's high school, etc., age citizens. Why, even the ants seemed fewer on the north side.

As for the monster in the hole under the diving board, I saw no signs today and yes I was looking.

I was in Chester, MT this past weekend for a funeral. The town has 833 people in it and has a brand new 'real' concrete pool for everyone to use. If Chester can do it, you'd think Miles City could get a cement pool too one day........

Not that I didn't have fun over the years as a child at the 'Oasis' but as an adult, I haven't felt the need to stop there on my visits to town.

I was in town this past weekend...I saw absolutely nobody swimming at the "Oasis"...meanwhile, Spotted Eagle was packed to near capacity. They ought to send a life guard or two to S.E. to get their money's worth for paying them.

Spotted Eagle is so filthy compared to the Oasis. Ick. Plus the folks who want to misbehave prefer SE because there is no supervision.

It has also been cool this summer, which probably accounts for some lack of use. Today, for example, it would be hard to find any swimmers.

Wow!

A CEMENT POND in Chester!

I don't know much about Chester but the median household income is $53,125 and it's located in a county with 30,708 people -- a density of 16/sq mile. Contrast that to Miles City's median household income of $29,847 and Custer County's 11,696 people with a density of just 3/sq mile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w..._Minnesota

We went there on this past saturday and it had quite a few kids. The fullest I have seen it in a long time. I bet there were 20 kids at least there. What I noticed that was nice is if you have a child, who can pass the swim test to go to the diving board side, is afraid to go off of the diving boards the roving life guard will get in the water at the end of the diving board and encourage them and tell them that they will be there for them after they dive off. I saw 2 different girls go off after lots of patience and enouragement from the life guard.

Hey Mule Train - haven't seen you in a while. Welcome back.

My observation this weekend was just the opposite of yours regarding the relative attendance at the Oasis vs. Spotted Eagle. I was at both venues and both were busy. The Oasis is a swimming hole, plain and simple - and having lifeguards there has made this summer 100 times more enjoyable for adults and well as kids. The manager and lifeguards are doing a great job and are there more as a labor of love than as paid employees. Believe me, at $7.25 an hour, we citizens are getting MORE than our money's worth from each and every one of those employees. To suggest otherwise is silly if not stupid, and an insult to them.

Spotted Eagle Lake offers a variety of recreational opportunities - mainly fishing, but also swimming, kayaking, etc. The fact that people swim there at their own risk is clearly posted, and I've never seen young children swimming there unsupervised by parents or other adults - unlike last year at the Oasis, where for some reason parents would just drop off their young'uns and then leave -- and other young kids could just walk over without their parents even knowing about it.

It was difficult enough for the City to find the money and the staff to provide lifeguards at the Oasis this year. As someone who takes kids there fairly regularly, I want to applaud and thank the City for recognizing the need and responding to it - and I especially want to thank the lifeguards who have done so much to make it a safer and more enjoyable place to be than it was last year.

:SALUTE AND KUDOS:

David,
I can't get to Wikipedia to check, but are you sure you have the correct stats for Liberty County for Chester? I saw about 5 other cars on the road the day I drove there from Shelby and about 4 the day I drove out on my way to Fort Benton. The population is pretty sparse there. I'd be surprised if those stats were correct for their income. Chester is the county seat with 800 plus people and not other major towns, so the population and income stats must be for some other county (maybe for Great Falls or Havre?).
jody
PS Unless the stats folks count prairie dogs as residents. They were plentiful and stood in the road and didn't flinch as I drove by centimeters from them.
[This message has been edited by Jody Collis (7/14/2009)]

[This message has been edited by Jody Collis (7/14/2009)]

Sorry, Jody, I thought you were in Chester, Minnesota. Chester, Montana (which, like Chester, MN, I did not even realize existed until today ) is more similar to Miles City:

Median household income: $27,578
Population - pop. density of Liberty County: 2,158 - 2/sq mile

David,
I didn't know there was a Chester, MN either, but now I do. :-)

Chester, Montana is up on the hi-line between Shelby and Havre, in the middle of nowhere. If they can fund a 'real' swimming pool with their 2,500 county residents (mostly farmers), then MC SHOULD be able to do it.

Chester loves its pool:

Liberty County Times

First swim meet in new pool a huge success

By PAUL OVERLIE
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 2:25 PM CDT

The positive financial aspects of the Chester Swimming pool were evident this weekend, and more obvious than ever. The Chester Swim Team held their first meet in over 30 years, and hundreds of swimmers converged on the town. Along with the participants were coaches, parents, siblings and other relatives. A camper and tent city grew Friday and Saturday and the parking area around the pool became another town all it's own. The total number of people temporarily boosted the towns population by more than 50%.

The effect of this was immediate and obvious as those people hit the local restaurants, stores and other businesses downtown.

Unfortunately many area businesses were closed July 4th and 5th which limited the real effect this event could have had economically. Still, the participants and their entourage liked the pool, liked the location and some are pushing for Chester to be the site of the Western Divisional next season.

It seems the new pool was a hit and the swim team and local people pulled off another big event! Look for this little economic boon to become an annual event. This is obviously something local businesses should get behind and keep going; the payoff is worth it.

http://highline.townnews..../news2.txt

Hi-Line Pool and Recreation Foundation

http://www.hilinerecfoundation.org

After I posted that newspaper article I noticed it was timestamped in Central Daylight Time. Made me wonder if I had found Chester, Minnesota, again. I guess not. Now I wonder why the Chester, Montana, newspaper timestamps their news stories in Central Time...

Is Chester paying for two new water tanks and replacing main water lines and probably facing replacing storm sewers? Does Chester have as many streets as Miles City that need work? Chester's pool is new right now. In a few years, it might be interesting to see if they can afford to maintain it. Maintenance is a killer on concrete pools.

Miles City's budget has to support a number of projects and, sadly, a cement pond falls behind running water and sewers. Small towns can sometimes afford projects larger towns can't because they have fewer obligations. Plus, they are sometimes eligible for grants larger towns aren't.

Miles City can't afford a cement pool, especially an indoor one, at the moment, unless we sacrifice something like upgrading the sewer plant. A private group is working on raising the millions necessary for a cement pool. You could get involved with them of cement appeals to you.

Outdoor concrete pools aren't that expensive to maintain. It could probably be done for close to what we currently spend on the hole in the ground.

Up front it'll cost quite a bit. But after that it would be manageable.

They could just improve the Oasis. In the fall scrape up the nasty scum that is the bottom of the Oasis - the whole thing, not just the swimming part, all the nasty just creeps back in if you don't. Bring in an extremely large amount of sand, fix the dock, fix the shack, and maybe filter the water a little. You can refurbish old stuff, people call it retro. A retro pool might be kind of cool.

"In the fall scrape up the nasty scum that is the bottom of the Oasis - the whole thing, not just the swimming part, all the nasty just creeps back in if you don't."

You need a ACOE 404 Dredge & Fill permit. The Oasis likely has significant nexus to the Tongue and Yellowstone.

[This message has been edited by Richard Bonine, Jr (7/15/2009)]

A private group is working on raising the millions necessary for a cement pool.

Amorette...I am usually with you on most everything you say, but millions???? I don't think so. At the most, around $100,000 for an outdoor facility. You'd be surprised at the deals one can get with the current economic crisis. Contractors' bids are at historic lows.

Also, who ever said you have to have an indoor pool? I know I am not going to change people's minds on this issue, but for what it's worth...here's why people go to Spotted Eagle vs the Oasis. It's free! Plus, I'll take my chances with the H20 at S.E. anyday over the water at the pool.

Mule, Your $100,000.00 won't get the ground broke on a city size swimming pool despite the state of the economy. When the pool committee gets 1/2 a million in the bank they probably could start pricing pools, until then keep raising funds.

Contractors' bids are at historic lows.

Someone needs to notify the Washington state contractors of this.

Are times really that tough in Colorado, Mule Train?

Mulie, stop by the City and get the e. Coli counts from Spotted Eagles vs. the Oasis. The water is tested in both places and it the Oasis is very clean.

Someone needs to notify the Washington state contractors of this.

Are times really that tough in Colorado, Mule Train?

Yes. The house building has pretty much stopped. Too many houses and not enough buyers. There are lot's of construction workers available for the little work there is and a massive illegal labor pool to pick from...which results in low bids for jobs. Where I work, our remodel has turn into a new building because the numbers came in so low.

I'm sorry, but I don't undertand why it's so expensive to dig a hole in the ground and then cement it in???? And I can't find any numbers that says how much it does cost. Any one have a link?

This website estimates the average U.S. price at about $50/sq foot +/- 20%. An Olympic-sized (165ft x 82ft) inground gunite/concrete pool is about half a million or $41/sq foot.

http://www.dba-oracle.com...ricing.htm

Alrighty then...half a million it is! How about half an Olympic pool? That'd be around $250,000. Within reach

Than add a bathroom or two, shower facilities and other support structures. I'm guessing you've put a big dent in a million bucks. Now you have landscaping and parking another 150K, Insurance, staffing, chemicals and you have another 100K before you open the place up. But in this age run away spending it's no big thing, I say do it and worry how your going to pay for it latter. Maybe we could just charge the rich people lots to swim there, and more if they choose not to swim.

Waterslides make pools cash flow alot better too, so I'm sure those would have to be figured in.

a lot

A million bucks it is!

One question: Are all the small communities around eastern Montana money wasters? Or are the people of Miles City notorious tight asses? Terry has a pool for God's sake.

Or are the people of Miles City notorious tight asses?

:snickers: (nope, not right)

:chortles: (not quite there)

:guffaws: (better. closer. warmer.)

:fallsbackwardsinchairwhilemountaindewshootsoutofnose: (that's it!)

For the millionth time. . .

We are paying for two new water storage tanks, the new north side water main project, need a new dike, a new sewage treatment plant. . .

How about you guys attend a budget meeting or two and figure out where the millions will come from for construction and maintenance. We don't have a concrete pool because we can't afford a concrete pool.

Terry and Forsyth (who close their pool periodically because they can't afford to run it) probably have less expenses than Miles City because they are smaller. Fewer streets, fewer sewer mains, etc.

Seriously, attend a budget meeting. Suggest that we skip the new sewage treatment plant or that the folks on the northside give up paving and/or water pressure and see how far you get. We are playing catch-up on fifty years of deferred infrastructure that previous councils kept passing to the future. The future is now and we have to pay for the improvements or the town becomes unlivable.

The Oasis is not some cesspool. Go the City and ask to see the water test results. Ask the folks who swim in river and lakes all over Montana if having a sandy beach is a source of evil. Then focus on what is important.

If you want a cement pond, join Fun2U and get a private pool build but stop complaining about the City not giving you a luxury when paying for the necessities is becoming progressively more difficult.

Some friends of mine just put a pool in their back yard to the tune of $57K. This is an outdoor pool that would be crowded with 10 kids in it and no buildings or other structures whatsoever, not even a fence. Those babies are expensive. Really, if MC had $1M to spend, would that be the top priority? I have only swam in the oasis a couple times but it was a heck of a lot cleaner than the black muck bottomed leech-infested reservoirs we swam in out at the ranch .

[This message has been edited by Levi Forman (7/16/2009)]

Maybe they could cut the budget for that historic preservation whatchamahavit. Nobody really cares about history, right?

How many people are going to take this the wrong way?

[This message has been edited by Buck Showalter (7/16/2009)]

I was hired at the Oasis as a lifeguard.

I'm a substitute they call in when someone doesn't show.

Training was Awesome,
sadly to say... I WON'T swim there. It would require someone needing assistance before i got in.
I take my 18 month old to spotted eagle and the frog pond.
WE need a pool

Smiley, go the City. Ask to see the E. Coli and other bacterial counts for Spotted Eagle vs. the Oasis. Spotted Eagle is FILTHY compared to the Oasis. I wouldn't let a kid of mine in Spotted Eagle for anything.

Seriously. The water is filtered and treated at the Oasis. It is not a Spotted Eagle. I just don't understand why people can't get it through their heads that the Oasis is WAY cleaner than Spotted Eagle. If you don't believe me, give Alan Kelm a call and find out.

And, I assume if you need a pool, you belong to Fun2U and give generously. They have regular fund raisers. The 9th St. Boogie is coming up. Attend and empty your pocket book.

[This message has been edited by Amorette Allison (7/16/2009)]

Well, there's nothing I can say to change the mind of someone who dislikes the pool, but for those who have not made up their mind I can tell you from personal experience the pool is fine. Yes, it is like swimming in a pond or the river. I enjoyed swimming laps at the U of M pool and I can certainly see where someone swimming here would be freaked out by the floating vegetative matter. Yes, the water is cloudy. Yes, the water has plant life floating in it. Yes, there are ducks and ducks do relieve themselves. Yes, if you are use to a filtered, clear pool this would be disturbing.

I grew up with the pool and I like the idea of summer and swimming in the river water. I like the beach which gradually goes into the water so my kids can play. I enjoy sitting under the cottonwoods and looking out at the park. Yes, these cottonwoods are also responsible for the cotton on the surface of the water. Oh, I could do without the cotton, but so be it.

I you don't like the pool, don't swim there.

Bump. To encourage this discussion to continue, and I would like to help any way possible.
First, it appears folks have misconceptions about what a pool is, how it works, and what it's for.
It really isn't just recreational, not just a place for kids to go splash and scream. Oh sure, it can be that, but in modern, forward thinking municipalities it is more than that.
It is a place where people of all ages can benefit from the exercise gained from swimming. It is very therapeutic for recovering victims of accidents and surgeries. It can be an incredible calorie burner for those wanting to lose weight. It is awesome for folks wanting to stay in good physical condition. And it is un-matched for helping young people develop strong, trim bodies.
If this topic wants to continue I'll gladly expound on this point or go on to the second. I want Miles City to get a pool and I'll help you get it done.

Then join Fun2U. They have been working on concrete pool for a couple of years at least.

I tried, they don't answer e-mails.

Jeff, I suggest you contact Dr. Robin Hogan directly. She is spearheading the Fun2U group. I, for one, am interested in hearing your ideas for getting it done. I'm sure Robin will be, too.

Jeff,

I can help also. I am involved w/ Fun2U.

Regards,

Matt Smith

Oh good, I'm glad to help, I gave up on this in the seventies when it was pounded into my brain that Miles City never would get a pool until some new kind of thinking came around.
Start with making sure people understand that it is NOT taxpayer dollars that will get it done. Eventually some tax dollars will support its maintenance, but we'll get to that. When a city builds a rec complex it turns out to be the typical ill-managed mediocre mess. It has to be built privately and run like a professional business. Nowadays medical centers are the foundation of rec centers, as part of their physical rehab program. Hospitals have plenty of money. Don't know if this will work in this case, though.
I doubt you can raise much money by trying to hit up the locals. They don't have much money and they are typically not into projects they think will only benefit young people. Eventually they will realize the benefits discussed previously but not until its been proven. Then they will start enjoying (and paying).
The Miles Citians with the most money are those who left. Long ago, in the cases I know of. I guarantee if you appealed to them properly they would pitch in. They remember how desperate their hometown is for a recreational facility. They are donating plenty to the causes within the towns they live in now; they would help Miles City if asked. There is a lot of money out there, you know.
Everybody with me so far?

Something like the Invesco pool at half-a-mile-high?

Jeff, I see you've referenced e-mailing Fun2U. Have you read their website? They are well past the point of generalities in fundraising.

Fun2U has been quite innovative in their fundraising efforts for several years now. Our kids LOVE their camps, and we appreciate all of their hard work and dedication to this cause. There was quite a nice article in the Miles City Star some time ago about the upcoming stages of project development and their long-term goals.

Go Fun2U!

The website is nice but it isn't really "reaching out". Articles in the Star are good but they must not have made it to the online version; online is where those of us who have left Miles City (but still care) can keep up with the basics. This discussion here will go a long way to attract attention if we keep it up.
During my visit to MC last week I heard that the Fun2U effort is going very slowly and needed help.
Miles City had a swim team (sort of) once. Let's get a new one formed, everybody interested can do a field trip to Billings to see a real swim team in a real pool. There's lots of competitive swimming info online. See our team at Facebooks, just enter "KATS" in the search. KATS is a thriving business, operated by a board of directors (parents) and we rent pool time at the Summit, owned by Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Competitive swimming is a major sport in America, most high schools have a swim team and most colleges offer scholarships to swimmers. The US Navy has recently discovered that their most successful SEALS prospects come from the high school swim and water polo teams.

Check out the Summit:
http://www.nwhc.org/index.cfm
it's a little more than what Miles City needs, but you get the idea.