Many South Carolina cities have closed their public pools due to budget cuts. Chuck Pope, director of the City of Florence Parks and Recreation says they've closed two public swimming pools since 2004. He says the city just didn't have the money to keep up with operations and maintenance of the pools.

But that's not the case in Darlington. The city's swimming pool has been open since the late 1960's. Everyday, about 50 kids visit the pool, including 9-year-old Myesha Stevenson.

"It's like it's so fun for people and it's for the summer. So, this is a point of time where people get to have fun and chill out," said Stevenson.

According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), 17 cities across South Carolina have closed their pools because they lacked the money to keep up with upgrades and operations.

The City of Darlington was once in that same boat.

"In 2008, when it was closed it was a blow to the community," said Howard Garland, Darlington's City Administrator.

In November of 2008, Darlington City Council agreed to use money from its hospitality tax to keep the pool open.

It costs about $15,000 a year. The money goes toward the electric bill, water bill and chemicals for the pool.

The city charges one dollar for admission, but that money is used to buy snacks and wrist bands for the swimmers.

"The admission feed and all help pay for the day to day operations but the big things would have to come out of the hospitality tax," said Rodney Langley, Darlington City Planner.

The pool reopened in 2009 after some major upgrades.

However last summer, two drownings closed the pool for a month.

Since then Darlington City Police who run it, have made lots of changes, including the installation of six surveillance cameras around the pool that are monitored by the officers.

"The person that is actually sitting in it's office can turn around and look. Where it's moving the camera will actually be attracted to the movement and will focus in on it," said Captain Danny Watson with the Darlington Police Department.

"It's very safe. No one should go and have worry about anyone coming from the outside," said Darlington Police Chief Jay Cox.

Police also require kids to sign in and all children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

The city also uses a special colored wrist band to identify kids who are can't swim or are poor swimmers.

There are also several lifeguards on duty at all times watching the swimmers.

Darlington city officials say they've also received grants to help with maintenance of the pool.

The City of Marion still runs it's public pool on Gurley Street. Officials say the pool will open in the next couple of weeks because they're in the process of getting it ready for swimmers.

The Town of Quinby is expected to open it's public pool on June 7th. The pool is located on Mitchell Lane.

Florence County operates a splash pad at Lynches River Park. 

The park's hours of operation for the splash pad are based on summer vacation for Florence School District One.

For more information on when the splash pad will open you can call (843) 667-0920.