OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — People in Oak Ridge are working together and asking for help to save a community pool in need of expensive repairs that's at risk of being torn down.
In 1944, Oak Ridge leaders built the Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool, giving Manhattan Project workers a place to relax and stay cool during the summer. It was the first public pool in the city to be desegregated, and for generations, families have made memories at the pool.
The pool has since developed several issues, and it could cost between $22 million and $29 million to fix it. The city council said the pool is also expensive to maintain.
"It's going to continue to deteriorate and, at some point, it's going to get more and more expensive to get it to retain water," said one city leader.
The city of Oak Ridge has gone back and forth about demolishing the pool, but hasn't made a final decision yet. Several community members have gathered to urge leaders to budget for repairs, instead of demolishing the pool.
"It's a historical landmark for the community, dating way way way back even probably into the late 1800s," said Byron Hartzler, an Oak Ridge resident. "Both my wife and I have really enjoyed the public swimming pool in years past, so I definitely appreciate it not only for its practical value but also for the historical value as well."
The initiative to "Save the Big Pool" can be found on The Big Pool Story website.