High gas prices make Ohio public pools appealing

COLUMBUS (AP) — Some Ohio communities are seeing a jump in early sales of summer pool memberships, a trend that officials say is related to high gasoline prices.

During March and April, Grandview Heights near Columbus sold 17 percent more memberships for its outdoor pool than in those months last year. Parks director Sean Robey tells The Columbus Dispatch residents are looking for things they can do close to home this summer, rather than more exotic pursuits out of town.

In nearby Hilliard, sales are running more than $2,000 ahead of last year.

Recreation administrator Mike Phillips in Westerville says people are thinking now about cheaper “staycations.” His Columbus suburb has already sold 1,500 pool memberships.