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Work began on the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool in Plains last week with workers from Double C Construction of Missoula ripping up the old pavement so another contractor could then replace some 300 feet of pipes.

Double C Construction, owned by Kurt Campbell, was one of three bidders for the job. Plains Mayor Dan Rowan said the entire project, which is divided into three parts, will cost about $30,000. Traver's Excavator Service, Inc., of Thompson Falls, owned by Ben Traver, won the bid for putting in the new pipe system and Mark Foster Construction of Alberton will be doing the repaving job, said Rowan.

Campbell believes the concrete removal portion will likely be done this week. He estimated they'll be hauling away some 180 tons, which the town is transporting to various locations. In an effort to keep costs down, Rowan and three Public Works Department staffers – Earl Crawford, Greg Welty and April Knoepke – are helping with the concrete removal. Plains resident Jack Woods volunteered his labor with the project.

In addition, Campbell, who has rental property in Plains, is donating his time and equipment and is only charging for his two employees' work. "I think it's a great project and I just want to give back to the community. I think the pool is a great thing for the community," said Campbell.

Workers had to take out about 100 feet of concrete along the entire length of the pool and about 12 feet wide on each side, along with large sections on both ends of the pool. The depth of the concrete ranged from 4-9 inches thick.

Kathy Gregg

POOL DONATION – Jim Willoughby of Blackfoot Telephone holds a symbolic check for $5,000 as a donation to the Committee for Safe Swimming, a nonprofit organization that is raising money to get the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool in Plains repaired. Receiving the check is Janice Hanson, CSS president. Also pictured is Plains Mayor Dan Rowan.

The pool was built in 1972 and has had several problems over the last few years. It developed major leaks last year, losing some 15,000 gallons of water each day last summer. Because the town doesn't have funds for major pool repairs in the budget, the Committee for Safe Swimming (CSS), a nonprofit organization, stepped in once again to pay for the work. The CSS raised more than $50,000, including a $5,000 donation from Town Pump, a $10,000 grant from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in conjunction with Montana Rail Link, a $5,000 donation from the Plains Swim Team, and a $5,000 donation from Blackfoot Telephone. The mayor said they couldn't have repaired the pool without the help of CSS.

Rowan believes the repairs will be done prior to the pool's scheduled opening at the start of June, when the Plains Piranhas swim team begins its summer training. The team continues to look for members and a new coach this season. They have a dozen swimmers so far, but would like to recruit more, said Dan Helterline, president of the Plains Swim Team. Last year's coach, Jack Couch of Hamilton, is unable to take the job this year. Anyone interested in joining the team or for the coach position can contact Helterline at 241-1467. The pay is $3,000 for the summer swim team session, which goes from June to early August, when the state finals take place. Plains will host a swim meet July 6-7. The swim team is raffling off Yeti coolers to raise money for the team. The drawing for the winners will be the Saturday of Plains Days.