PORT ANGELES — More than 100 swim enthusiasts attended William Shore Memorial Pool’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday.
“I learned to swim in this pool. It is the heart and soul of our community,” said Mayor Cherie Kidd to open the ceremonies.
The visitors were entertained by demonstrations from the many organized groups that use the pool and were fed hot dogs and cake on the patio before getting to splash in the water themselves.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers demonstrated rescues from a life raft; Port Angeles High School swim team members did wind sprints; and the Port Angeles synchronized swim team performed a routine.
Scuba divers, water exercise classes and parent-child swim classes also were showcased in the aquatic three-ring circus-like atmosphere.
The 50-year-old pool is in great shape, said Steve Burke, pool district executive director.
When it was installed 50 years ago, it was “built like a bank,” he said.
The pool, locker rooms and pool machinery underwent extensive renovations in July, resulting in what amounts to a brand-new pool facility, Burke said.
The renovations will be completed after work on the air system this month, he said.
Burke said that with voter approval, the next step for pool improvement will be the addition of a play and splash pool for kids and a “lazy river,” a tool for exercise and therapy where people walk against a current in a canyon of
flowing water.
The pool is open 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday,and 5:30 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. Friday
On weekends the pool hours are 7:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. Saturday, and
10 a.m. through 4 p.m. Sunday.
The pool is available for rentals 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
