Sheryl Crow: Celebrating grand opening of hometown aquatic center named in her honor

A crowd estimated at 4,000 people jammed Kennett's downtown Saturday to welcome home the city's most celebrated daughter.

Sheryl Crow joined The Usual Suspects on an outdoor stage to celebrate the grand opening of The Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center, a municipal swimming complex made possible by the nine-time Grammy Award winner's generosity and "the hard work" of countless residents, she said.

"This is one of the most exciting days I've had in a really long time," Crow told the audience. "If I was in better shape I'd put my swimming suit on and go swimming in the pool."

Crow thanked a number of people for their aid in completing the facility, and offered special thanks to Dennis Cook, president of Aloha Pools and Spas.

"They gave us exactly what they said they would for exactly the price they said," Crow explained. "I hope people spend family time here in Mitchell Park.

"It's been a really exciting time seeing this come to fruition."

The excitement began Saturday morning when musicians from the first of three area bands struck their first chords.

A Local Band featuring musicians Matt Jackson, Nathan Creed, Darren Cunningham, Steve Pellham, all of Kennett, and Donnie Parker of White Oak opened the show at approximately 10 a.m.

The group was followed by The Benders, a trio consisting of David Ellis, Roger Privett and Mark Ward, all of Kennett, who hit the stage running at approximately 10:30 a.m.

The crowd swelled to nearly overflowing as The Usual Suspects with guitarist and trumpeter Wendell Crow, guitarist Jim Baker, keyboard player Daryl Wilcoxson, bassist Gary Wilcoxson, lead guitarist Terrell "Dunk" Carter of Memphis and vocalist Ashley Wilcoxson all were joined by Sheryl Crow in a rousing version of "All I Wanna Do."

"I'm feeling pretty good getting to play with my dad today," Sheryl Crow said as the band lit into her song, "Soak Up the Sun."

Kennett Chamber of Commerce President Randy Morgan welcomed the crowd and thanked Crow, Keith and Robin Mitchell and Crow's brother, Steve Crow, of Kennett's Crow homes, "for this wonderful gift to our city."

"You will hear from others this morning about the positive impact the aquatic center will have on Kennett," Morgan said. "But I would like to highlight just one.

"That is the way that this community has rallied behind this project, giving their money, their time and their hard work," he continued. "I feel that Sheryl, Keith and Robin [Mitchell] have revitalized community spirit and pride in our hometown. Again, thank you so much."

ABC's news magazine 20/20 was in Kennett Saturday interviewing Sheryl Crow at the pop-star's parents' home for a future show, said Jan McElwrath, chamber executive director.

Steve Crow was quoted as saying the Junior Olympic-sized pool measures 82-feet long by 52-feet wide, 4-feet deep at its shallow ends and 6-feet deep at its mid-point.

The complex features a children's pool, a splash pad and a large water slide that will please "kids and those of us who are kids at heart." He added that the pool house alone would cost in excess of $100,000 to construct.

"It contains men's and women's locker rooms, a lobby, an administration area and offices, an equipment room, a chemical storage room and is approximately 2,000-square feet," Steve Crow said. "I think the building fits the pool nicely.

"This was a real fun project," the builder added. "I'm taking lots of pride in this one, too."

Steve Crow said community support for the endeavor was overwhelming. To date, more than $150,000 has been collected to aid in paying for the facility's incidentals."