(Plankinton, SD) — The Plankinton Pool Committee was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from Central Electric Cooperative’s Operation Round-Up® program. The funds were used toward the construction of the new bathhouse.

Melissa Davis is president of the Plankinton Pool Committee. She said, “The completion of this bathhouse is very exciting! When we started the pool improvement project, we asked for input from the community, and a new bathhouse was the number one request.”

Davis added, “The bathhouse also includes a restroom for the park, which is a huge asset to the community.  Since the pool opened there are more people utilizing it – both kids and adults – which is great to see.”

“We are so appreciative of the support from the City of Plankinton, the community, Central Electric Operation Round-Up, Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation, the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund and South Dakota Community Foundation for helping make this happen,” Davis said. 

Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program in which members’ electric bills are rounded up to the next whole dollar. Many cooperative employees also support the cause through payroll. Members and employees have invested nearly $160,000 into local communities through Operation Round-Up. The funds are awarded to projects that make a positive impact in the communities of Central Electric members.

Each county in Central Electric’s service territory has a representative at the table to review grant applications twice each year. Julie Dykstra of Stickney was appointed by Central Electric Cooperative Director Duane Wolbrink to represent Aurora County on the board.

The next grant application deadline is November 1. For more information about the Operation Round-Up program, please contact Central Electric Cooperative at 1-800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop/operation-round-up.