The City of Opp is more than halfway to its goal of raising $400,000 to pay for the new pool.

“I am very pleased to announce that Ed Short notified me today that Covington Electric Cooperative has graciously given $25,000 towards the construction of the new pool and pool house at Veterans Memorial Park,” Opp Mayor John Bartholomew said. “We have also been notified that Southeast Alabama Gas District has made a $5,000 contribution towards the project.”

Bartholomew said these funds will be added to the $50,000 given by PowerSouth; $50,000 from the Solon and Martha Dixon Foundation and the $100,000 contribution from the Estep Foundation.

That brings the total to $230,000 toward covering the costs.

“Our projected costs on the project is approximately $400,000,” he said. “So these financial contributions are going a long way towards covering the city’s costs on the project.”

After years of discussion, the city council OK’d some $400,000 to build a competitive-style pool at its Veterans Memorial Park location last fall.

Blue Haven Pools won the bid for the pool and Catrett Construction is building the pool house, which features air conditioned bathrooms, concession stand , a breeze way and a room.

The pool includes deck, splash pad, wheelchair lift, platform, land ropes and more.

“I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to these organizations and to many of you who have made donations to the project,” Bartholomew said. “I’m excited for this project to be completed and for the public to be able to use it. I encourage you to visit the pool site at your convenience.”