BELTON, Mo. -- A public outcry has brought the Belton city swimming pool back to life.

The Belton Parks Board was ready to close the city's 42-year-old pool earlier this spring because it was concerned that it would cost too much to repair.

But the City Council voted to make the repairs and on Friday the pool was finally opened for the season. The opening, however, came amid periodic rain showers and mild temperatures.

"The community takes care of itself," said Sheila Healy. "We build new stuff for the community. We fix things for the community. Everyone chips in, and we make it."

But when opening day finally arrived on Friday, it wasn't without a glitch. The temperatures were mild and a steady rain fell for much of the morning.

"It finally stopped (raining) at about 11," said head life guard Ed Hazen, who had his crew out prepping the pool at about 8 a.m. "It put us about an hour behind but we're going to have her open today as long as there is no lightning."

While there was no lightning in the sky, chilly temperatures greeted the swimmers when they arrived on Friday for opening day. Still, it didn't seem to dampen their spirits.

"I never thought it was going to open this year because I really wanted to go swimming," said 10-year-old Melody Smith. "And this pool has a lot of memories."

Dozens of people showed up for the opening, glad that the city had found a way to bring new life to the old pool.

"It gets the kids out of the house," Healy said. "It's somewhere to go. And with the 100-degree weather we've been having lately, you need somewhere to go."