TECUMSEH – At long last, Tecumseh’s new swimming pool is opening.

The Tecumseh Aquatic Association says slides, diving boards and an obstacle course are ready for swimmers beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 31.

The pool will be open Monday through Friday from 1 to 8 p.m. and weekends 1 to 6 p.m.

The Tecumseh City Council approved a new pool in May of 2017 and the aquatic association began accepting donations later that summer.

Demolition of the old pool was underway in June of 2019, meaning no swimming for the 2019 season.

In the fall of 2019, work on the foundation and bathhouse was underway. The plan was for a grand opening in May of 2020, but the pandemic forced delays.

Last summer, the city council had worked for a July 1 opening, but learned that 14 members of the construction crew were out with COVID-19.

City Clerk Janelle Moran said no one wanted to build a multi-million pool to just drive by it, but said the pandemic forced a delay in the grand opening.

The city council will consider staffing the pool for the 2021 season at Monday’s council meeting. The council has warned that May 31 opening is contingent upon completion of lifeguard training and the head lifeguard becoming a Nebraska pool operator and receiving an operator's license.

In other action, the city is planning its citywide cleanup on May 15.