Officials celebrate ribbon cutting at the new pool
By Gabby Hudson Staff Writer

GABBY HUDSON/Sentinel photo Dr. Brian Mitchell, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Wellness Center, welcomes guests to the ribbon cutting ceremonies held on Wednesday afternoon.

Dignitaries, board members and local residents took a moment to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work during the opening of the new Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center held on Wednesday.

In the bright summer sun, over 50 guests gathered, most in suits and ties to celebrate and close the door to the first chapter of the new Wellness Center.

Hiwassee Valley Recreation Committee Chairman Dr. Brian Mitchell opened the dedication with an invocation given by Father George Kloster of St. William Catholic Church.

Mitchell told the crowd that as a proud member of the new pool committee he is delighted to say that our mission to create and develop a year-round, multipurpose pool and wellness center to benefit the people of Cherokee County is accomplished.

"We (the board of directors) all take great pride in our fine facility and we are delighted to offer its many programs of fun and fitness to this community," he said.

Mitchell told the crowd that 10 years ago the Lion's Club pool closed after nearly 50 years of Summertime pool activities and the Murphy community was left on dry land.

A need developed for a replacement and a group of volunteers came together to replace the old facility with a new concept that is a year-round multi purpose facility offering not only aquatic programs but fitness programs for not only the youth programs but also senior wellness programs for all ages and providing it everyday of the week, he said.

"The pool committee's idea has become a reality and now the real fun begins," Mitchell said. "We share today in the thrill, the excitement, and hope for a great future-For as it's been a long time coming!"

Mitchell said that looking back he believes the board has learned many remarkable lesson.

"That a doctor, a lawyer, a fiddle player, a man for all seasons, a professional investment advisor, a passionate swim team coach, a retired YMCAdirector and a couple of local politicians from different parties can make this happen," he said. "That a nonprofit group from a community of this size can raise $3 1/2 million during some tough economic times and maintain their pledge to the taxpayers not to use any local county revenues."

Mitchell said he believed he had learned some things also:

-Never give up.

-Great things can happen when no one cares who gets the credit.

_You must do what you think you cannot do.

-All communities need pools, and parks and greens-pace- and for those interested in a new challenge-all communities need a cultural and performing arts center.

-We all need something bigger than ourselves, and find that something and make it your own.

Jesse Navarro, director of the Wellness Center, said that since he has lived in the area, a facility of this quality is what this community needed.

Navarro said that when the facility opened the first few days they had doubled the expected membership.

During our open house we had a cook out and gave away over 700 hotdogs. Everyone just loves the concept behind this center, Navarro said.

Murphy Mayor Bill Hughes told the crowd to look behind them at the expressions on the faces of the children playing in the pool to know the project is a success.