Politics & Government

Free Pools a Hit for Columbia Association

"These are our neighbors. These are our residents." - John Herdson, CA's aquatics director.

 

At River Hill pool in Clarksville and Hopewell pool in Owen Brown it was cool times all around on Monday as Columbia Association members mingled with other Howard County residents who have been granted free entry to CA's outdoor pools since Saturday.

"Everyone seems estatic about it," said River Hill pool assistant manager, Heather Anderson. "The past three days it has been really busy."

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Anderson said she hadn't received any member complaints about letting in other Howard County residents for free or had any additional problems. She said it was the first time she can remember in her four years of working for the CA that they've allowed non-members in for free.

"I think it's really getting CA involved with the community," said Anderson. "A number of people have asked how they can become members."

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Julie Graham, a Clarksville resident and CA member, was at River Hill with her kids. She said she's happy with the decision.

"I think it's wonderful," said Graham. "We've had no power or water ourselves so I understand what others are going through. I think it's a great way to support the community."

On Saturday and Sunday alone, CA's outdoor pools welcomed 1,127 Howard County residents whose power was out and who had come to cool down for free, according to the CA.

"We realize that there's a lot of people suffering out there in this heat," said John Herdson, CA's aquatics director. "We have the opportunity and we have the facilities that we could provide them for their benefit. These are our neighbors. These are our residents. We're trying to help everybody in our community."

At Hopewell pool in Owen Brown, assistant pool manager Brianna Sungenis also agreed with the decision.

"I think it's a nice gesture that CA did it," said Sungenis. She said they had to close the deep end due to cloudiness, but other than that there haven't been any other problems.

"There's a lot of new faces," said Sungenis.

Cristina Martinez, 21, of Catonsville brought the kids she was babysitting out to Hopewell pool on Monday.

"It feels really good to get into the pool and cool off," said Martinez. "This is the first time it has been free that I can remember."

As for the kids she was babysitting, "They are loving it, as always," said Martinez.


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