The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

In a special meeting Tuesday, the Cathlamet Town Council confirmed the hiring of a new manager for the Julia Butler Hansen Municipal Swimming Pool.

She is Cathlamet resident Kayla Pugh. She was head life guard at the pool last year, working for former manager Lynette Ledgerwood. Pugh previously worked as a lifeguard seven years in Clatskanie.

Pugh said Tuesday afternoon that she wants to expand pool activities and appeal to more age groups.

"I want to have the pool active in the community, by participating in community events" she said. "I want to widen the demographics and get more kids and adults involved."

She also plans to hold special events to raise scholarship funds for people who can't afford passes, and she is planning to have the pool open longer hours than in past years.

"We've been looking at the budget, and I think we'll be able to have a longer schedule," she said.

Pool managers normally try to open the pool as soon as schools close for the summer, but Pugh hasn't yet set an opening date because of maintenance work that needs to be done.

Also at the Tuesday meeting, council members passed a resolution setting the fee schedule for the season.

Basic admission will be $2.50 for children age 4-17 years and senior citizens 55 years and older. Admission is $3 for adults ages 18-54, and family admission is $10.

On Saturdays, swimming is free for the first 75 patrons.

Fees for lessons will be $30 for one child, $57 for two, and $18 each for three or more children from the same family.

Season passes will be sold on a declining scale. For children and seniors, passes are $100 apiece in June, $80 in July and $40 in August. For adults 18-54 years, they are $125 in June, $100 in July and $50 in August. For family packages, they are $175, $140 and $70.

The pool may be rented for parties and reunions, with fees ranging from $25 to $100 per hour, depending on the number of people.