Bulldogs put dome over Wellness Center pool
By Dwight Otwell Editor

DWIGHT OTWELL/Sentinel photo Murphy High School football players are getting the dome ready to be inflated.

The Murphy Bulldogs football team had a different kind of workout on October 3.

They installed a dome over the Hiwassee Valley Pool & Wellness Center so that area residents can enjoy swimming year round.

Jim Roesher, of Yeardon Domes, out of Texas, barked orders at the players as they strained and pulled the dome over the pool so that huge air furnaces could blow hot air into the dome and lift it into place.

Jesse Navarro, executive director of the center, said he asked Bulldog Coach David Gentry if he could use the players' muscle for a couple of hours. Gentry agreed.

When he discovered that he would need the players for four hours, Navarro asked Murphy High School Principal Jerry Brackett if he could borrow the players. Brackett responded that it would be okay if they feed the players, Navarro said.

Pizza Hut donated pizza and the Coca Cola Company donated drinks.

"This is a good community project," Gentry said. "It's good that we can give something good back to the community. It's another reaching out and helping an organization that needs help."

Football player Austin Butler said he likes working and doesn't mind getting out of class for a few hours.

Bulldog quarterback Luke Charles said it shows the community that they aren't just football 24-hours, seven days a week. They like to help out in the community.

Whitewater Express donated rafts that were placed in the pool for the players to walk on in pulling the dome material across the pool.

The water temperature will be heated to about 87 degrees and maintained at that temperature, Navarro said. The dome will be taken down in late spring or early summer.