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Mother and daughter are the new managers of the Vale City Pool

Becca Maag (left) with her mother Becky Hawkins are ready for their first summer managing the Vale City Pool. The pool opened Tuesday. (The Enterprise/Pat Caldwell).

VALE – There will be two new faces behind the counter at the Vale City Pool this summer.

Becky Hawkins and her daughter Becca Maag are the new managers. The mother-daughter duo will step in for longtime pool managers Bart and Larissa Ewing.

The pool opened Tuesday.

Hawkins and Maag said they considered the idea to manage the pool last fall.

“We saw the Ewings were not going to do it,” said Maag.

Initially, Hawkins said she was hesitant because of an already hectic schedule.

“I think I kind of dragged her into it,” said Maag.

Hawkins, whose maiden name is Fowers, grew up in Vale. Maag, 23, is a 2013 Vale High School graduate.

Hawkins said she and her daughter felt compelled to apply for the work.

“There was a need and no one seemed eager to do it,” said Hawkins, who teachers fifth- and sixth-grade reading at Vale Elementary School.

Maag, who just graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree said she is excited about managing the pool.

“It is something new. I think it will be fun and we are ready for the pool to be open,” said Maag.

Hawkins said the local pool plays an important role during the summer, not only locally but across the county.

“It is very important for kids because there are not a lot of other activities. It serves the whole area,” said Hawkins.

Maag agreed.

“It is good that kids have a place to go,” she said.

Hawkins and Maag said there won’t be any major changes. The pool will still sell concessions and prices will remain essentially the same as they were a year ago. Hawkins, 54, encouraged parents to sign up their children for lessons.

“It is important they know how to swim,” said Hawkins. “And if they are not signing up their kids because they can’t afford it, they should call us.”

Maag said area residents should also check out the pool Facebook page for updates throughout the summer.

The pool will be open every day except Sunday and offers open swim, lessons, lap time and more.

Gate prices are $4 for ages 3 and up, free for 2 and under, $3 for evening swim, $1 for lap swim and $2 for daycare providers.

Family passes are also available for $145 for city residents and $160 for out-of–town visitors.

For more information call, 541-473-3914.