TENINO Dozens of grateful patrons of all ages took advantage of opening day at the Quarry Pool here Wednesday, literally jumping at the chance to enjoy its cool waters during the warm summer weather.

This is day one, Brigitte Neson of Tenino said of the turnout. Im surprised.

The opportunity to find refuge from the heat may be coming to an end, however, due to budget constraints.

The buzz pool-side was the increased cost to get into the pool this season. The price for a local single day pass increase by $1 this year. The increase didnt seem to deter pool-side patrons.

Ive had people say theyd pay more to keep the pool open, Neson said, who noted that keeping it open has been more of a challenge this year.

Keeping the historic pool open has been an ongoing issue for the City Council, which recently deferred dipping into reserve funds to open the pool this year.

We have got a shortfall, Mayor Kenneth Jones told The Chronicle. Basically that pool cost us about $35,000 per year to set up and maintain. Our budget doesnt have the money at this point.

Still, the city manages to maintain at least two lifeguards on duty, and as many as four during heavy use periods at the facility that is divided into a shallow, chlorinated area for younger swimmers, and a deep, naturally water-fed section. The former sandstone quarry is reputed to be over 100 feet deep, according to Neson.

Theres said to be machinery at the bottom, she said.

The reason for the increased cost of the pool entrance fee wasnt lost on patrons, many of whom expressed a willingness to do whatever it takes to keep it open.

The cost and income isnt enough to keep the place going, Tenino resident David Harkins said as he kept a close eye on his toddler-son Ethan, who played in the shallow water nearby.

Harkins, who said he was more than ready to serve as a pool volunteer, felt there must be a way to somehow come together to keep the place going.

Haley Kirkwood, of Yelm, agreed. She and her granddaughter Linda Ross are regular patrons.

She came here everyday last year, Kirkwood said of her granddaughter.

The city is looking at outside sources to help keep the pool open, including an overture to the tribes, according to Jones.

Theyve helped us in the past, he said. My feeling is they will be willing to give us some help.

Other alternatives include closing the pool, dipping into city reserve funds or fundraisers, Jones said.

The town itself is really high on the pool, Jones said. Weve talked about closing it from time to time and the citizens have said absolutely not. But if youre out of money, you have to do something. My feeling is well find a way to keep it open.

Kirkwood said she would be willing to host a fundraiser to keep the facility operating. Yelm doesnt have a pool, she said, so the Quarry Pool is her closest summer recreational resource. But its more than just a recreational facility, she noted.

Theres history here, she said.

For more information about the Quarry Pool contact the city of Tenino at (360) 264-2368.