Poll: Do you agree with Valdese Town Council's decision to delay pool structure?

Building a permanent cover for the Valdese Recreation Center swimming pool has been a hot topic of late in the eyes of many, including those who support immediate construction and those who favor a delay.

Last week, the Valdese Town Council postponed discussions of the permanent pool structure for six months, despite the project being before the council for over a year.

This decision stirred debate among the council members themselves, public speakers, residents in the audience, and in the comment sections on social media sites.

The Paper took to the streets of Valdese and Morganton to see what town residents and onlookers think of the postponed project.

Tony Stamey, a Burke County resident, does not necessarily use the pool now, but did say, “I came a lot when I was little.”

“I think it is good; it’s a big deal in Valdese,” Stamey said.

He mentioned that the pool attracts many people to swim. “Except me, I can’t swim,” he said with a chuckle.

Joey Lindsay, former Valdese athletics director, believes that the council could build a permanent structure over the pool while at the same time pursuing public safety facilities. He has seen firsthand how long the pool has needed a new structure, before his retirement in 2018 and now.

“I’m for both. I believe the construction can (both) be done at the same time. They are not going to build these buildings overnight … I trust in the council, but I do not agree with what they did.”

DeVera Powell, a Morganton resident and former pool user, believes that the council should find a closer date rather than six months in the future.

“I really think that they should try to get it to a closer date of getting it ready. There are people who really depend on it. It is versatile. I know they have had exercise classes. It’s good for the youth, we definitely need things for the youth to do other than around here getting in trouble. I think it needs to be brought back up to date.”

Shemaya Logan, a Morganton resident, has taken her son to the Valdese pool for birthday parties. She says the pool is “pretty decent,” but prefers the Morganton (Aquatic Center).

“He actually wants to have his birthday there,” she said with a smile. “I think they should have gone ahead (with the project) because there are not a lot of things for kids to do.”