Blooming cottonwood trees caused quite a mess at the Iola Municipal Pool this week.
The cottonwoods are in full bloom, and the small wisps of cotton falling like snowflakes inevitably landed in the pool water.
The cotton eventually clouded the water to the point lifeguards could no longer see the bottom of the pool, Iola City Administrator Matt Rehder noted.
As a matter of safety, the city ordered the pool closed all day Wednesday.
The water had cleared by mid-afternoon, but not sufficiently for the pool to reopen Wednesday.
By Thursday, though, the pool was back in business.
AS AN ASIDE, several sponsors have once again paid donations to allow as many as 100 swimmers to get into the pool daily for free.
Among them was Iola City Councilman Josiah D’Albini, who is paying for the first 100 swimmers on June 27.
At Monday’s Council meeting, D’Albini challenged his fellow members to do the same, if their budgets allow. “It’s for a great cause,” he said.
To inquire about sponsoring a day of swimming, contact the Iola Recreation Department at (620) 365-4990.
