City of Darlington contracts with Poolwerx to staff city pool
The City of Darlington has contracted with Poolwerx of Florence to staff the B.P. Gandy Swimming Pool this summer beginning Wednesday. The base contract for the summer is $15,350 and does not include DHEC-required signage or repairs to the kiddie pool.
The issue came up because City Council moved the responsibility of the city pool out of the police department to the recreation department. While the police had a built-in extra staffing during the summer months using school resource officers, the recreation department had no extra help.
City Manager Howard Garland found just one vendor willing to take on the project of keeping the city pool open. That vendor, Poolwerx, while based in Florence, is run by a Darlington native who wants to see the Darlington area continue to have opportunities for swimming during the summer.
Improvements have been made to the Junior Olympic-sized pool that should encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the pool. A safety rope will divide the deep end from the other side of the pool, and the kiddie pool will get cleaned up and repaired.
The city pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weather permitting Wednesdays through Saturdays, June 20 through Sept. 1 at 115 Gary St. The pool is available to rent for parties on other days.
The pool is open to the public, and the cost is $1 for the day. Concessions are available for purchase on site.
To start off the summer, the City, the YMCA of the Upper Pee Dee, and Darlington Recreation will hold a Splash Station Introduction to Swim Lessons at the pool Tuesday through Thursday, June 19-21, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Participants must pre-register with the Recreation Department as the program is limited to 50. These classes for non-swimmers ages 5 to 18 will be taught by Lillian Brunson.
Three lifeguards are on duty any time the pool is open.
The City has several safeguards in place to protect everyone who enters the pool area. These rules are read to each person who comes to the pool every time they enter regardless of whether they have been there one time or numerous times. Each person that enters the pool must take a swim test prior to being allowed to swim in water deeper that the swimmer can stand up in. A band that identifies the person as a good swimmer or a novice swimmer must be worn at all times. Pool Werx staff will administer the swim bands.
City pool rules
• All children age 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older, and that adult must supervise the child 100% of the time.
• No adult may sign in more than two swimmers.
• No weak swimmers or non-swimmers allowed in the deep end of the pool.
• All children and adults who cannot swim must wear a wrist band identifying them as a non-swimmer.
• All swimmers must shower before entering the pool.
• When signaled, all swimmers must exit the pool immediately upon lifeguard’s request.
• All swimmers who wish to swim in the deep end must be approved by the lifeguard before entering.
• No diapers allowed in the pool. Children must wear a swimmer’s diaper if needed.
• All swimmers must wear swimsuits.
Directions to the Gandy Pool
115 Gary St., Darlington
From Hartsville (US 52 Bypass / US 401): Take SC 151 into Darlington. Continue on Pearl Street approximately 1 mile. Turn right at the light at Piggly Wiggly onto Edwards Avenue. In about 6/10th of a mile, the road ends in front of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology. Turn right onto Chestnut Street. In about 1200 feet, take a left onto Lighty Street. Continue straight about 500 feet and turn right into the parking lot on your right adjacent to the City Pool.
From Florence (I-95 & US 52 Business): Take US 52 Business into Darlington. Continue on South Main Street approximately 1 mile. You will see a sign for Mayo School and a planted median at Chestnut Street. Turn left at Chestnut Street. On Chestnut, you will pass in front of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology. In about 1200 feet, take a left onto Lighty Street. Continue on about 500 feet and turn into the parking lot on your right adjacent to the City Pool.
