PORT TOWNSEND — Clips from the films of swimmer/actress Esther Williams and scenes filmed for the 1983 film “An Officer and a Gentleman” will be among the activities marking Mountain View Pool’s 50th anniversary during an all-day celebration today.
“We didn’t get to do anything for our reopening in April,” said pool manager Anji Scalf.
“So we decided to go a little bit overboard and celebrate.
She added, “Some pools only last 20 years or so, and we’ve more than doubled that.”
Today’s programs at the city pool at 1919 Blaine St. are free and open to the public.
Lap swim time will be from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and again from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
An Aqua Power fitness class will run from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
A prize will be awarded to the swimmer with the best retro swim cap.
An open swim is set from 1 p.m. to
3 p.m. with a Bubble Party theme and giant bubble wands, as well as foam noodles, inner tubes, dive rings and more.
A reception with cake is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the pool lobby.
Guests are invited to share pictures and stories.
Clips from the swim-themed films of Williams and scenes shot in the Mountain View Pool from the 1982 film “An Officer and a Gentleman” will be shown from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
A demonstration of synchronized swimming will take place afterward by synchronized swim students.
A special recreational swim with water polo, an “Orca” wrestling contest and a water war with balloons, super soaker water guns and splash balls will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The pool closed in November and was scheduled for a March reopening, but that was delayed by a month when a valve failed.
During that time, the liner was replaced, but the pool still needs a new heating system, according to Scalf.
“Right now, we are manually adjusting the pipes, and that isn’t always accurate, and we don’t always get the right temperature,” she said.
“It’s not a big problem now, in the summer, but in the winter, it will get harder.”
Scalf said the pool’s popularity has increased and expects a crowd today.
“We’re doing great, and we are busier than we’ve ever been,” she said.
