WALNUT - The Walnut Swimming Pool reigns supreme as the number one cool sport for the hot summer months because of its easy access to local swimmers.

To find the next closest pool, swimmers would have to travel 45 minutes north to Selmer, Tenn. or 45 minutes south to Tupelo.

Located on Main Street just off Hwy. 15 in Walnut, the pool--that starts at a depth of three feet and extends to 10 feet in the diving area--has been around since 1960. The fact that the pool is the only one within a 45 to 50 mile radius of Tippah County, Wanda Pannell, pool manager, said they get a lot of patrons from outside the county.

"We’ve had people from New Albany, Benton County, Corinth, Tennessee, Ripley, and everywhere," said Pannell. " Business has been good, and I guess some of that is because we are the only pool around."

Pannell added that several out-of-towners commented that in addition to the pool being in close proximity, it’s one of the cleanest pools.

"We keep it clean," said Pannell. "Me and my life guards can tell you about everything at the bottom of a pool. We drained it and got down there and cleaned it."

Pannell said the pool gets anywhere from 30 to 70 swimmers every day with the biggest crowd showing up on Saturday.

Pannell expects a big crowd Saturday for the 4th of July holiday. The pool will be open during it’s regular hours of 12:30-4:30 p.m.

The pool employees four lifeguards, Hillary Crowell, Ryain Alexander, and twins Kayla Ray and Kristen Ray.

The Walnut Swimming Pool is open Monday - Saturday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m.