An Improved Chinook City Pool Opened Last Week
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Chinook Mayor, Glenn Huestis and Pool Manager, Michelene Mulonet Edwards watch ATP Chemical Specialist, Brandon Esry install the City Pool's new chlorinator while Jim Teel and Sawyer Loney listen to the operational and maintenance process.
On May 24, the Chinook City Pool saw one major step in its upgrade process. A new chlorinator was purchased and installed with funds from the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation (FPPF). The installation occurred just in time for the summer swim season. Lifeguard training took place June 1 and 2 with the pool opening on June 3.
"The chlorinator is officially in!" announced Heather DePriest, President of the Foundation. "Your donation dollars are being put to work, and we're really excited about this step in the overall project."
Also known as an automatic chlorine feeder, the chlorinator functions as a machine that automatically dispenses chlorine into the pool utilizing a puck system. Instead of city officials having to purchase gallons of liquid chlorine-which over time loses its potency-and then to manually add it to the pool water, this updated process involves a puck. The chlorinator uses water pressure to gradually dissolve the chlorine pucks at a steady rate.
A representative from Advanced Technology Products (ATP), Brandon Esry was in Chinook on May 24 to install the chlorinator. He suggested that the City should save considerably on this investment since the installed chlorination system provides a more cost-effective way to chlorinate the pool.
Servicing pools and spas all across the state, ATP is a Montana company based in Belgrade that provides specialty product lines in today's chemical industry. Their products have been formulated and proven to be both effective and safe for the user and on the environment.
Manager of the City Pool, Michelene Mulonet Edwards released the pool schedule last week, announcing hours of operation for 2022, Monday through Friday:
The pool is also avialible for rent on Saturdays and Sundays for private functions. Interested individuals are encouraged to call the pool for hours and rates: 406-357-2903.
Swimming lessons will begin on June 13 with three sessions available. Session 1: June 13-June 24; Session 2: July 11-July 22; Session 3: August 1-August 5. Anyone who hasn't already reserved a slot should call the pool immediately, as Edwards is anticipating an "awesomely busy lesson program."
Amid the flurry of opening activities and recording sign-ups for swim lesson, Edwards was busy training lifeguards on June 1 and 2 so that the pool could welcome the public on June 3 from 1:00 to 4:45 p.m. For the first weekend in June, swimmers and water recreators had access to the pool on both Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:00 to 8:45.
Calling herself an "old hand" at the pool's helm, Edwards has served as its manager from 2004-2005 and again from 2009-2019. Although the global pandemic-imposed pool closure created a gap in her service, Edwards managed the pool in 2021 and continues as its manager this season, as well. She thanked the community for their patience with the phone at the pool and their understanding about only calling her regarding pool-related issues by using the 406-357-2903 phone number.
In other pool related news, the Chinook Swim Meet is slated for this Saturday, June 11. Benton Elliot is this year's coach, and Tina Mord serves as President of the Swim Team.
• 7:30-11:45 a.m. Swim Team
• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Swim Lessons
• 12:00-1:00 p.m. Adult Lap Swimming
• 1:00-4:45 p.m. Recreational Swimming
• 5:00-6:00 p.m. Swim Team
• 6:00-7:00 p.m. Lap Swimming
• 7:00-8:45 p.m. Recerational Swimming (M-Th)
• 6:00-9:00 p.m. Pool Rental Available (Friday)
