The health department&39;s&bsp; mandate that the drains be upgraded this year was based on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This act was named for the granddaughter of former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, who died in 2002 at the age of seven after the powerful suction of a drain trapped her under water.

Polk County commissioners this spring approved spending $15,200 to replace the drains in its three pools at Gibson Park.

The Gibson pool, located on Park Street in Columbus, normally opens around the time school lets out for the summer. This year, despite the repairs, the pool will be open the weekend prior to the end of school. Other repairs were done to the pool, including repairing leaks and working on skimmers.

Following this weekend&squo;s opening, the pool will be open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Season passes are available for $65 with an addition of $10 per person in a family or for $3 per day. Swimming lessons at the pool will begin on June 16.