MAYOR'S MESSAGE Making a Splash: Mingus Park Pool Welcomes Nearly 30,000 Visitors So Far in 2025 As summer winds down, it's the perfect time to celebrate one of Coos Bay’s most beloved public resources—Mingus Park Pool. From lap swimmers to school groups, from young learners in summer lessons to our competitive athletes on the Gold Coast Swim Team, the pool has seen remarkable use this year. Between January and August alone, a total of 29,090 people came through the doors of Mingus Park Pool. This number reflects more than just attendance—it’s a testament to the role the pool plays in the life of our city. Through the first eight months of 2025, the pool hosted: •8,161 lap swimmers •5,807 participants with the Gold Coast Swim Team (GCST) •1,748 students in school swim lessons •4,690 youth in summer swim lessons •5,638 attendees at free public swim sessions •972 guests at private pool parties •1,030 swimmers with the Marshfield High School team •650 young children in the Guppy program •394 private lesson participants Each of these numbers represents time spent learning, playing, training, and building confidence in the water. For a community surrounded by lakes, rivers, and ocean, these moments also represent lives made safer by swim education. None of this would be possible without the decades of leadership from Pool Director Kathe McNutt, who has overseen operations at the pool for nearly 50 years. Kathe’s efforts have transformed the pool into more than a recreational facility—it’s a place where kids gain life skills, high schoolers find mentorship, and families make lasting memories. Thanks to Kathe and her team, the pool runs a wide range of programs that meet our community’s diverse needs. From affordable swim lessons (just $45 per week!) to specialized offerings for children with special needs, every corner of the community is welcome at Mingus Park Pool. The success of programs like free public swim—held Monday through Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. all summer long—shows how vital access and inclusion are to this facility’s mission. Events like private birthday parties and after-school swims only add to the pool’s reputation as a joyful, safe gathering space. As we move into the fall, many of the pool’s offerings will continue, including lap swim and team practices. The energy from this summer will carry forward, as new swimmers take to the water and longtime participants return to train, teach, and support. To learn more about the Mingus Park Pool’s programs, hours, and events, visit: 👉 https://www.coosbayor.gov/community/city-parks/city-pool Or call Kathe at 541-267-1360. Whether you’ve been a lifelong swimmer or are just dipping your toes in, there’s a place for you at the pool.Photos from Coos Bay - City Government's post