Freeport swimming pool to reopen

After being shut down nearly two weeks ago, the city’s public swimming pool will reopen this weekend.

The Walton County Health Department gave its approval Tuesday after it ordered the pool closed because of broken safety equipment, a broken water pump and failure to use proper chemicals. The Health Department investigator also found algae on the bottom of the pool.

“People here swim in creeks — that’s how I grew up — but we didn’t have near as many alligators and snakes in there,” Freeport Mayor Mickey Marse said. “They need a place to go swim because most people can’t afford to have one in their backyard.”

To read about the pool's closure, click here.

Sherri Seay, the Health Department’s environmental supervisor, said inspectors found no violations when they examined the pool. Seay said her agency normally does two inspections a year, and does not anticipate any extra visits unless there is a complaint.

Walton County commissioners voted Tuesday to terminate their contract with the YMCA of Florida’s Emerald Coast, which had overseen the pool’s operation for four years.

After closing the pool, Marse appointed the Freeport Fire Department to help clean and repair it.

The pool will be open Saturdays and Sundays through October, Marse said. Firefighters will supervise the facility.

“This is something the people here love,” he said. “I’m glad we could get it back to good condition quickly for them.”