GIBSON CITY — Gibson City’s public swimming pool is expected to remain open next summer as a new pool is built just east of it.
Randy Ferguson will continue to serve as pool manager, and there will continue to be two assistant managers, as well, just as there were this summer when Rachael Dewey and Casey McCullough held those roles.
Following the pool board’s Aug. 20 meeting at City Hall, board member Jamie Summers told the Ford County Chronicle that she considered this summer’s pool season to be a success, with fewer daily closures than last year — all due to weather, not a lack of attendance.
Ferguson told the board that this year’s kids’ day was one of the season’s highlights, drawing an estimated 75 people to the pool for the four-hour afternoon event. The concession stand also saw brisk business, as concessions manager Manda Paris shared through the pool’s assistant managers that she enjoyed running the stand and hopes to return next season.
Some repairs will be necessary to open the pool again next year. Ferguson said the pool’s galvanized water lines have begun to leak and must be replaced. Ferguson said he plans to seek a repair estimate from John Bell of Bell Plumbing of Gibson City, with final approval to come from the city council. Ferguson also said the sinks in both bathrooms and the concession stand will need to be replaced before the pool can operate again, as they are currently not in working order.
Meanwhile, McCullough and Dewey said payroll issues from earlier in the summer have been resolved, and all lifeguards have now been paid in full. To avoid similar problems next year, they recommended a more streamlined process that involves working directly with City Clerk Carla McGrew. Ferguson suggested that McGrew attend next year’s budget planning meeting, and board members agreed.
The pool’s assistant managers also outlined supply needs for next season, which included rescue masks, umbrellas and other essentials. Ferguson requested a full list so that he could purchase items while they were on sale. One important item — AED pads — remain on backorder, he said.
Dewey said all lifeguards met their required work hours this summer, fulfilling the agreement made when the city paid for their certification or recertification classes. Dewey urged the board to approve certification classes earlier in 2026, noting that late scheduling this year left the pool shortstaffed at opening.
The assistant managers also praised the Homebase app, which records employee hours and generates schedules.
They said it has made staffing easier and been an efficient way for lifeguards to communicate about their availability. They asked the board to consider upgrading to a newer version, which would allow lifeguards to clock in and out from their phones.
Earlier this month, Alderman Sarah Sarantakos updated pool board members on the status of the new pool project. After securing the required Illinois Department of Health permit for the new pool’s design, the city council recently approved soliciting bids for the project.
To help finance the new pool, the city is applying for a $600,000 state grant, which was expected to be discussed at the next council meeting on Monday, Aug. 25. Ferguson said storage space may become an issue once land preparation begins for the new pool at the North Park, especially since the old pool will still be in use during construction.
The pool board plans to meet again on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.