Pool opens to cool weather, rainstorms

Odessa's Aquatic Center, also known simply as 'the pool,' opened last week Tuesday to a cooling period of clouds and rain that kept attendance down somewhat. This week, hot weather is slated to make its return, though, and the pool will no doubt be a popular destination for young and old alike.

As for the rain being a benefit to local crops, Mark Cronrath of the Odessa Trading Company said that it could help fill out the kernels in the winter wheat crop and possibly provide some benefit to spring wheat fields. Other than that, the biggest benefit is that the rain is simply additional moisture that will help whatever crops are to be planted in the fall.

Now that the weather has again turned hot, it bodes well for finishing the ripening process of the wheat crop. Temperatures are likely to remain in the 90s for the next week or so, and no additional rain is in the forecast.

So it looks like the Fourth of July holiday will be a warm one. However, the pool will be open for those who would like to enjoy the cooling waters, perhaps after they have partaken of the Firemen's BBQ, also taking place at the park on July 4.