EAST DUBUQUE, ILLINOIS (KWWL)---Instead of lighting up the sky with fireworks this Fourth of July, the East Dubuque community is investing in something a little cooler—keeping the local pool open.

When the Dunleith Pool announced it would close for the season, many East Dubuque residents responded with a resounding, "Not on our watch."

“For a whole summer—and for all the kids it would affect—once again, it was an easy decision,” said Dave Sendt, president of the EDGE Foundation, a local nonprofit.

The Park District posted on Facebook on May 7 that the pool wouldn’t be opening this year due to financial challenges. A town hall was quickly scheduled—and to everyone’s surprise, the community dove right in.

By the end of that meeting, they had raised $30,000 to keep the pool open.

“There

See Full Page