Pool dreams continue to swirl regarding Larma A. Wisely swimming pool

In 1976, Larma A. Wisely bequeathed in her will approximately $650,000 (numbers vary according to different sources) to have a swimming pool built for the city of Marble Hill, Missouri, in Pellegrino Park. The good intentions of Wisely have spiraled in controversy since construction began.

In 1992, as the pool was being constructed, the Marble Hill alderman sought to use a portion of the bequeathal for a city office complex, according to an article in the Oct. 21, 1993, Southeast Missourian. At that time, the willed trust had grown to $768,863 with accrued interest, the article reported.

Controversy also plagued the development because the pool was not built within Pellegrino Park, as the will decreed. The pool opened in 1992 and lasted 20 years.

By August 2012, it was announced the pool would be closed, according to a report from KVS12.com. At that time, "Mayor Michael Sowers explains the $300,000 donated was never meant to last forever."

The report also said, "Sowers and assistant city administrator Tammy Whitney say it costs about $30,000 to run the pool yearly, and it doesn't bring in even a third of that cost."

On July 17, 11 people met at the University of Missouri Extension office in Marble Hill to see what could now be done with the ghost-town-like swimming pool area.

Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce President Becky Davenport is a leading proponent of the "Re-Open Larma Wisely Swimming Pool" push. She led the meeting.

"We originally wanted to see if there is any interest from the community to re-open the community pool or convert into something new," wrote Davenport in an email to the Banner Press. "We know the community is hurt and angry over the pool sitting empty and going to waste. We agree there needs to be something done, but do not know what yet.

"We do know that as a group we must put the past behind us and move forward with something fresh. The support from the community is overwhelming from messages, requests, and shares of encouragement. With that said, we want to make it known that this is not intended to investigate the use of previous spent money -- we know the money is gone, so we must move on."

A Facebook page dedicated to the project is online. It's titled, "Re-Open Larma Wisely Swimming Pool." It shows 210 people who "like" the page, and 213 who are "following" the page.

The pool advocates have more than one option regarding the pool. Option one is to repair the pool and reopen it. Option two is to convert the pool area to a spray park. Option three is to convert the pool area to a playground and use the pavilion for restrooms and a party room that could be rented. Another idea that was discussed at the meeting involved putt-putt golf. A copy of the PowerPoint plan may be viewed at the "Re-Open Larma Wisely Swimming Pool" Facebook page.

The group is seeking to gather names and signatures in support of reopening the pool or converting it to a development of some type that will benefit the community.

If interested in revamping the Larma Wisely swimming pool area, contact the administrators at the Facebook page.