Sun and Funland Pool, on Lakeview Avenue in New Boston, has been helping cool the summer heat since the 1960s, but could this be the year the pool finally takes a bellyflop into the shallow end?

The pool is owned by the non-profit group, Sun and Funland Pool, Inc. and Jeff Moore, of New Boston, is president of its board of directors.

“The pool is 42 years old, it opened in 1965, and it has not had any - what I would call - heavy maintenance done in that 42 years. It's the original concrete in the pool and there are a lot of cracks that need to be repaired,” Moore said.

Moore said the 275,000 gallon pool leaks about 25,000 gallons a day into the springs that run beneath the land.

While some of the equipment was upgraded after the New Boston flood of 1997, much of it is original equipment used when it opened in 1965.

During the May 15 New Boston Village Council meeting, residents of the village addressed Council on the possibility the village might take over the pool and assume responsibility for its seasonal operations.

Moore said he had hoped to have a village or county government purchase the pool for $1.00, and then lease it back to his organization for $1.00. Putting it in government control would make it eligible for grant assistance.

Council decided not to pursue the action at this time, citing additional finances and liability that would be incurred in its operation.

Instead, village council will hold a special meeting on Friday to evaluate possible ways in which it might be able to assist in the opening. New Boston Mayor James Warren said Sun and Funland is asking Council for $5,000 to go toward the opening.

“It's an asset of the community recreational activity for the children, to have a place to go and things to do in the summertime,” Warren said.

Portsmouth Mayor Jim Kalb also has agreed to forgive half of the pool's outstanding water bill, along with reducing the cost of water to the pool by 50 percent this year.

Kalb said the city was doing the same for Rosemount and Wheelersburg pools as well.

“It's not going to be an every year thing, but this year we thought it would be a nice gesture on the part of the city,” Kalb said. “We're just trying to do our part to make sure kids have something to look forward to this summer, and we hope this action helps.”

Moore said he was hoping to have it open by June 16, with or without village assistance. He said if people want to help, they always could use good volunteers.

“They can come over and volunteer time to help get the pool up and running, and then we can use volunteers on things like family nights to help run the concession stand,” he said. “Prob-ably the biggest thing that's going to help is just come over and pay your daily fee to swim.”

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235.