Sometimes a new start is better than hanging onto the memory of something that has long faded away.

Such was the case this week upon the announcement that Butler has been awarded a $102,000 state grant to demolish the Memorial Park pool and pool house.

The pool was a top attraction in the city upon its opening in August 1950 and drew large crowds through the 1980s. But by the early 1990s, the number of attendees had dropped and, in 2004, the pool closed.

When the site began to fall into disrepair, several noble undertakings were made — from candy bar sales to the YMCA taking over the property — to attempt to save it.

Following its closure, an effort was led by Broad Street Elementary School teachers to repair its leaks and damaged filtration system, while another effort aimed to transform it into a water spray park. Neither of those options panned out.

Now, 17 years after its closure, a sad but obvious decision has been made: The pool and pool house will be demolished.

Afterwards — the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority applied for the grant on behalf of the city last year — the site will be left as open space.

For many who took part in efforts to save the pool or retain the site for some similar use, this week’s news may come as a disappointment. But it’s been more than a decade-and-a-half since the pool closed, and the chance to save it has long since passed.

There are many fond memories for people who grew up in the area and used the pool over the years. But we believe that now’s the time to make new memories.

Although we’ll have to wait to see what takes the pool’s place at the site, the concept of additional open space in the community is a welcome one.

“While it is sad to see old, deteriorating structures go, this is an important part of the growth for the city,” state Rep. Marci Mustello said of the plans to demolish the pool. “It makes room for new development, which is the lifeblood of our community.”

After more than a year of COVID-19, many people could likely use a fresh start. We hope that whatever takes the place of the Memorial Park pool delivers the type of benefit to the community that this beloved site did for several generations.

— NCD