Friday, March 29, 2024

Excitements builds as pools open

Excitement was building for area pools to open for the shortened season. Moms, Dads and kids full of pent up energy were looking forward to the opening of pools around Dodge County.

Kasson’s pool opening was set for last Friday. Wouldn’t ya know it, kids were awakened by rain pelting the roof of their family’s home.

Gray overcast took some of the excitement away, but the mere fact that the pool was opening meant that the rest of the shortened summer would afford opportunities to swoop down the water slide, ride the lazy river and enjoy horsing around with friends.

Even among the staff at the newspaper, we had been looking forward to heading over to the pool for the best shot of opening day. We were all hoping that the skies would clear and we’d get the shot of the day with kids diving into the pool.

Nope, in typical Minnesota summer weather, the clouds hung around. Mid-morning, we noticed a brighter horizon off to the west. By noon, things were still gloomy.

We checked the Weather Channel and KTTC’s Weather App for updates as to a break in the cloud cover. Nothing. No, wait, there was hope of a break around 4 or 5 o’clock Friday afternoon.

I got the break in the weather I was waiting for and walked to the Kasson Aquatic Center where I found high divers, water sliders and kids just playing in the shallow end of the pool being watched by an older sibling.

Finally, kids were kicking off the summer season at the pool. It’s tradition.

On Saturday, after the rain moved out of the area, we took three of our visiting granddaughters to the pool. It was one of those memorable evenings that turned a gloomy day into watching three kids enjoy an early summer swim draped in sunshine.

As my wife, Tricia and I drove back home we listened to the chatter coming from the backseat about the fun they had at the pool. Then a hush enveloped the back and a glance over my shoulder noted the youngest was sleeping in her car seat. The other two were quiet. Both of us agreed that the hour we spent with them at KAC was one of those situations that makes our time with grandchildren fun.

As a first time user of the Kasson Aquatic Center, we call it one of the most beautiful aquatic centers we’ve seen. It’s play area for younger children, diving boards for older dare devils and the lap lanes for serious swimmers is far beyond what we’ve experienced in our travels around the nation.

It’s one more reason folks find Kasson such an appealing family-friend community.

 

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Dodge County Independent

Dodge County Independent
Dodge County ADvantage
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

Dodge County Printing
301 S. Mantorville Ave.
Plaza 57 • Suite 200
Kasson, MN 55944

507-634-7503
 
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