For many years, 90-year-old Janet Smith has been advocating for a new community pool in the Oakland area of Haines City. Ever since the old pool shut down in 2012, she had insisted that a new pool be created. Smith had attended every city commission meeting asking city commissioners to consider directing funds towards the construction of a new pool. She had befriended many commissioners in hopes of their support.
The project was expedited quickly, breaking ground in March 2020 and completed in November 2020. That same year, the Janet J. Smith Oakland Community Pool was named in her honor. The new swimming pool was designed to enhance the quality of life for the community by providing a safe, well-maintained public space while strengthening the connection with the public. Both recreational swimming and structured lessons are offered at the facility to the public.
