Get ready to cool off!

Workers had to repair damage to a bathroom caused by an act of vandalism, but the public swimming season will start on time in three weeks in Walhalla. Christle Ross, executive director of the Foothills YMCA, gave a report last night on the partnership with the city of Walhalla to operate the city’s public swimming pool on W. Main Street. Ross says everything is a good for a Memorial Day weekend start and a full schedule of activities once the schools recess for summer. Those activities are going to stress swim lessons for some of Oconee’s youngest population. Ross told last night’s Partners for Progress meeting the goal is to “drown-proof” children—teaching kids how to swim. Mayor Pro-tem Tjay Bagwell announced last night that the city’s hopes for the addition to the pool complex of a splash pad won’t materialize for this summer.