Paige Shirley (from left), the aquatics director of T.C. Cherry Pool, Scottie Boone, a lifeguard, and Dan Higgins, a volunteer, listen to Yeadon Fabric Domes Inc. sales representative Jim Roesener today explain how the sound baffles work in the new dome over the pool. Photo by Joe Imel

Matt Reker may be the last person to shiver in the Warren County Aquatics Facility-T.C. Cherry Pool. Pool manager Reker and his fellow lifeguards froze Monday morning so that others may be warm. They helped pull into place the inflatable dome now topping the pool, soon to be filled with warm air over warm water. The flexible dome had to be held above the waters surface as a dozen workmen from construction firm Scott, Murphy & Daniel struggled to pull it flat before inflation. So Danny Daniel, project manager and part owner of the company, made a deal with Aquatics Director Paige Shirley, he said. He threw in a hard vinyl safety cover for the kiddie pool in exchange for getting Shirley, Reker and two other lifeguards out in swimsuits in the chilly morning breeze. The waters not cold at all; its just the outside, Reker said, standing waist-deep. The lifeguards swam backward, holding up the flexible but heavy white sheet. By 9 a.m. the corners were secured, and a powerful air pump began filling the dome to its 30-foot height. Pretty neat, isnt it? Daniel said as the dome swelled and his workmen secured the sides by wedging two-by-fours in a groove. Ill have to admit, this is the first dome weve ever put up. They had planned to inflate the dome Thursday, but held off due to threat of rain weighing down the cover, he said. The L-shaped public pool, which sits next to T.C. Cherry Elementary School, should reopen later this week, Shirley said. The Bowling Green Independent School District owns the land that the outdoor pool occupies, but it had been operated by the city of Bowling Green, which announced this summer that it was too expensive for it to operate. But Warren Fiscal Court came to the rescue, leasing the pool and agreeing to pay $173,000 for a dome if the school system would pay for heaters and a bathhouse and cover upkeep costs. Now a dome stretches over it, with a stainless steel revolving door creating an airlock. The lifeguards werent alone in the pool, but they were alone in being cold. Pharmacist and avid swimmer Dan Higgins helped out wearing his own wet suit. I came by and asked to volunteer because I think its one of the best things to happen to Bowling Green, Higgins said. The areas many swim teams need a public all-weather facility, he said. Shirley can testify to that. Her phone has often rung with requests for information on water aerobics plans, swimming lessons and sports. Few plans are finalized yet, but the pool is expected to be open from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Shirley said she also wants to begin a nighttime swimming program for neighborhood children. Admission to the pool is $2 per person for those ages 13 and under or 50 and over, and $3 otherwise. Group passes also will be available.