A cool splash for Ironton area children may only be days away and Ironton leaders are trying to make it happen as economically as possible.

The Ironton City Council unanimously adopted a management contract in a special meeting Friday night. The contract, with Ron Reed, doing business as R Squared, clears the way for the pool to open as soon as city crews get it filled and functional for a new summer season.

The pool's opening was delayed when city officials said the previous management group, led by Corky Salyers, could not show proof of liability insurance.

Last week, as Salyers cleared out his property from the public pool facility, city managers quickly realized that suddenly the pool area was a bit bare.

"Well, it's pretty much that we own the grass, the concrete, two picnic tables and that's about it," said Mayor John Elam, as he described the situation to the council.

"There was no inventory taken?" asked Councilman Chuck O'Leary.

"None that we have found," Elam said, adding that he and others with the city worked with Salyers to make sure that no city property was taken.

Purchasing the basic equipment - refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, diving boards, pumps and skimmers - might reach as high as $5,000, Elam estimated for council.

"It's my goal to do this as efficiently as possible," he said.

Councilman Jim Tordiff suggested making sure the pool's infrastructure was sound before worrying about concession items.

"We need to put water into it and see if it's going to work," he said.

Once the pool is filled and operational, R Squared plans to open the pool from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Daily admission prices would be no more than $3 for adults, $2 for students and $1 for children under age 4.