Civic associations in Fort Lauderdale now have their community pool back, thanks to a unanimous vote by the City Commission and a helpful new management company.

Hammerhead Aquatics Inc. recently received a one-year contract beginning Jan. 1 worth $16,000 to manage the pool located on Sunrise Middle School’s property in Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s a wonderful facility that’s never been used year-round but it will be now,” coach John Grzeszczak Sr. of Hammerhead Aquatics said.

Controversy over the pool began after the school board sublet the facility to different management companies that failed to communicate the operational hours to area residents that wish to use the pool, Poinsettia Heights Civic Association president Mike Vonder Meulen said in September. In fact, the association raised $70,000 toward the pool's construction cost.

Even before the bid, Hammerhead Aquatics contacted the association vowing to work with local residents for use of the pool.

“All the other management companies never had any community outreach,” Vonder Meulen said. “We’re excited that they contacted us.”

Grzeszczak is currently contacting all the associations about the pool’s operational hours and activities, in hopes they will include the information in their newsletters. The final schedule will be posted on the company’s Web site, www.hammerheadaquatics.com, in the coming weeks and also at the pool fence by Jan. 1.

“I want to keep the pool open 365 days,” Grzeszcak said.