The city of North Bend made a splash as it opened the doors to the municipal pool, which had shut down nearly two years ago.
In September of 2021, pool equipment vital to operating began to fail.
The pool closed its doors with no clear reopening date in sight due to a price tag of more than a million dollars to make the repairs.
On Thursday, the closure came to an end.
'We're so happy to have $1.4 million in infrastructure upgrades in the pool, and that was made possible by a grant from Judith Ann Mogan Foundation, Coquille Tribal Community,' said North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke.
Money went to purchase and install things like a new boiler and new filtration system.
New LED lighting, renovated bathrooms with instant hot water showers, an ADA compliant lift chair, and kiosk entry system are also among the upgrades.
Pool manager Claire McKee says she's already at home in the community after leaving Hawaii to take the job.
She's been in aquatics for 12 years and says she's happy to be part of the return of the beloved pool.
"I'm excited. I'm super excited to actually get to meet more members of the community. We're currently looking into swim lessons...which we have our instructors set up, and training will occur this month," said McKee. "We're also looking at a junior lifeguards program because that's something that's quite near and dear to my heart. Individuals between the ages of 11 and 14 will be able to train as lifeguards and get those type of life skills in and around water."
McKee says the pool plans to have water aerobics, a Special Olympics team and other offerings as it grows.
Mayor Engelke says the pool will offer free swimming for the month of June.
"I can't tell you how many happy faces that I saw out in the crowd today. The pool means so much to our community. All the time, I talk to people about swim lessons that they took in the pool in the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's. These are generations of families who've learned how to swim in this pool," said Engelke.
In the coming weeks, Engelke says a fitness court will be installed on the back deck of the pool for body weight and step exercises.
North Bend is now working with Advanced Health on a grant to offer swim lessons for open swim days beginning in July.