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ELKINS -- More than 6,000 swimmers took advantage of Randolph County's new pool and splash pad this summer, officials said.
Representatives from the Randolph County Community Pool and Splash Pad gave a facility update to the Randolph County Commission this week.
Elks Lodge Trustee Stanley Teets and other members from BPOE 1135 presented information to the commissioners, who during the meeting also honored the pool's lifeguards for the work this summer.
"We are very proud of you guys for doing the Randolph County Pool and Splash Pad," Teets told the commissioners. "We have had nothing but positive remarks and I'm there every day, mostly. When people walk in and see the place they are totally amazed. It's greatly appreciated and Randolph County has needed something like this for a long time."
Teets told commissioners David Kesling, Chris See and Cris Siler, who were all present at the meeting, how happy he was they chose the Elks to run the recreational facility.
"On behalf of the Elks, we are very proud that you let us do the work at the pool, taking care of the lifeguards, the concession stand, and things like that," said Teets. "Like any business we had some problems in the beginning, but those all got worked out. If any business is going to be successful, you have to have good employees, and we had very good ones this year."
Staff members from the Elks tallied some numbers from the pool, dating back to when the facility first opened on May 27 and running through July 31. During that time, 6,026 swimmers passed through the gates of the facility. Guests visited from all over the state of West Virginia and the pool/splash also hosted guests from Virginia, Ohio, and Florida.
"We feel as a commission that this was a very worthwhile project," said Kesling. "We did it for all county residents, not just for any certain group. We did it for everybody."
Kesling praised the Elks staff, especially the 11 lifeguards who worked throughout the summer.
"The lifeguards and your staff you had this summer did a fantastic job," said Kesling. "I have people comment to me all the time on how attentive and professional the lifeguards were this summer. So we wanted to thank the lifeguards for everything they have done and give them a certificate of appreciation."
Sofia Triplett, who attended the meeting representing all of the pool's lifeguards, was presented certificates from the Randolph County Commission.
The Elks also announced during the meeting that this is the final weekend the pool will be operating on its normal summer hours. From Sunday on, the pool will only be open on weekends and for parties.
That schedule will run until the pool closes for the season after Labor Day weekend. The Elks are planning to keep the splash pad open, however, throughout the week until Labor Day.
The times and days for the splash pad will be announced soon on the Randolph County Community Pool and Splash Pad Facebook page.