Among the many things Natchez and Adams County young people need for us to provide them, a swimming pool is far down the list — if on it at all.

However, some people in positions of leadership in the city and county seem determined to use money from Magnolia Bluffs Casino’s deal with the city to construct a municipal swimming pool.

The reasons why a public pool here is a terrible idea are plentiful. It will be a nightmare to manage. Pools of every kind pose costly maintenance issues. No public pool ever operated in Natchez has been successful. We could go on.

Adams County Supervisor David Carter agrees. He’s against the community pool idea. He does, however, see the writing on the wall and has suggested if such a pool is a must, why don’t we buy one already built, like that at the former Elk’s Lodge.

Carter’s suggestion, if we must build a pool, makes perfect sense.

The Elk’s Lodge lost its charter last year and apparently the property will be offered for sale sometime in the future. Its pool is idle.

Still, we’re hopeful common sense will prevail in the pool issue and city and county leaders will come together to make a plan that actually has a shot at working and provides for the health, wellness and recreation of all members of our community.

Clearly, that means recruiting some agency such as a YMCA, which has much experience in professionally managing, maintaining and organizing health and fitness programs and facilities.

Such a partnership is one that would require public and private cooperation, but which in the long term would far better serve our community — young people and old.

That type of facility would go a long way toward meeting many of the health and recreation needs of Natchez and Adams County.

This quick-let’s-build-a-pool plan is destined for failure.