Community Pools Are Open for Summer Fun

As the summer heats up, area residents can cool down at their nearest community pool. Four Centre County pools are open now through Labor Day — Millheim Pool, Mountain Top Swimming Pool, Park Forest Community Pool and William L. Welch Community Pool. The pools are open to everyone, regardless of residence.

Kepler Pool in Bellefonte will remain closed again during the 2023 season. More funding is being sought for needed repairs.

SNOW SHOE POOL

The Mountain Top Swimming Pool at Snow Shoe is managed by the Mountain Top Area Swimming Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and relies on admission fees and donations to operate the pool for the public.

“Kids from the YMCA in Bellefonte have been coming here the past two years to practice for their swim team,” said Jennifer Nastase, MTASA president and manager of the pool. “We host various daycares and have for many years.” She said no child is ever turned away.

“Please watch our Facebook page,” she said. “I’m trying to have a set schedule of events every week.” She is considering events like movie nights and Slushy Sundays.

Nastase said the pool plans to hire three more lifeguards and may extend the season beyond Labor Day, depending on the weather and if the lifeguards can work. At the end of the season, they’ll have a doggy swim.

“The one big thing we are going to miss since COVID, again this year, is our bus program,” Nastase said. “It’s just a shame. It served so many aspects of life, getting kids to the school for the free lunch program as well as socializing and exercising.”

She said the school buses are no longer available to be rented for the program, and the organization can’t afford to hire a commercial bus service.

“We have a wonderful pool,” she said. “About 12 years ago, a group of people decided to fix it up. There are a lot of these pools built about 55 years ago. If people don’t keep them up, they’re failing. You can’t build these pools now for less than millions of dollars.”

She said the organization received $25,000 from the Centre County Commissioners this year. Area clubs, individuals and State Correctional Institution at Rockview help with ongoing repairs. Fred “Dick” Thompson and his family are generous supporters who built the pool pavilion.

The organization is seeking additional funding for rebuilding the baby pool and other projects.

 “There’s nothing here for the kids to do,” Nastase said. “I need to offer them something to do, and for their parents. I need to keep this alive. Keep them out of trouble.

“We have a small concession stand and Hershey ice cream, or pack a lunch,” she said.  “Come stay cool at the pool.”

Breaking Down Centre County’s Swimming Pools

MILLHEIM POOL

The Millheim Pool and the surrounding Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park are also managed by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Penns Valley Park and Recreation Association Inc., and the pool is funded by donations and memberships.

“I got involved 10 years ago, as a way to give back,” said PVPRA President Collen Swetland.

She said any size family will be admitted for the family rate. “Everybody’s welcome. We will have two to three family days with some games and food to try to attract more families.”

“September 4 is the end of the season. All the lifeguards are high school kids. They start back to school and school sports,” she said.

On Sunday, June 11, the PVPRA is partnering with the Millheim Legion to hold a cornhole tournament. The proceeds will go to the pool.

New this year is the addition of lap swimming in two lanes. Swetland said this was requested to allow people to prepare for the pool’s largest fundraiser, the Penns Valley Triathlon, which draws competitors from neighboring states. More information can be obtained by emailing Jean Karp, [email protected].

 “For two years, no one was able to come out to the pool. It deteriorates faster when it’s not being used or it’s being used too hard,” Swetland said.

The PVPRA board decided not to repair the damaged baby pool due to the expense and turned it into a sandbox play space.

“Last year was the first year twilight memberships were offered,” Swetland said. It’s a lower cost option for admission from 5 p.m. to close on weekdays plus weekends and holidays.   

The pool offers fitness programs before the pool opens, and swimming and SCUBA lessons. A coed league plays at the pool’s sand volleyball court on Wednesday nights.

Swetland said Millheim Pool started a new partnership with East Penns Valley Library at the pool’s Splash Bash on June 2 to celebrate the last day of school. The library brought books so kids could read in the shade.

“We worked with the Millheim Lions club and the national Lions Club to get an ADA lift chair for folks who are wheelchair bound to lower them into the pool,” she said.

PVPRA received a grant for $25,000 of COVID money from the county commissioners and will use it to buy a new chlorinator pump and a new vacuum system.

 The pool receives support from the Millheim Fire Company, Lions Club, local businesses and the Millheim Legion. She says people are welcome to volunteer to help with fundraisers and donations.

STATE COLLEGE POOLS

Centre Region Parks and Recreation manages two public pools in the State College area, Park Forest Community Pool and William L. Welch Community Pool. Memberships and daily admission fees are discounted for residents of State College Borough and the townships of College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton.

“The membership passes are valid at both pools,” said Todd Roth, CRPR aquatic supervisor. “Some people switch it up, depending on where they live. With my kids, it was wherever their friends went.”

The CRPR website lists SCUBA and swimming classes, plus special events, including a family film night on Aug. 11 and a build-your-own cardboard boat race on July 8.

“We do constant updates on our website,” Roth said. “If they have a question, they can look and get the latest information.”

In June and July, each pool will offer Wibit on alternating weekends, beginning with Welch Pool on June 10-11, Roth said. He described Wibit as a floating obstacle course. Participants run across the big inflatable pieces and try not to fall into the water. “It’s pretty fantastic,” he said.

CRPR may offer bonus days to open Welch Pool on some additional weekends in September. Roth said it will depend on the weather, the availability of staff and the home game schedule. Park Forest Pool will host a dog swim event in September.

“I think we’ve got great amenities — waterslides and a splash pad for kids,” Roth said. “It’s good, wholesome family fun.