Pool celebrates golden anniversary

By: By Gracie Hart Staff Writer{filedir_5}CTPool-5-19-60_copy.jpg | Orange County Review
Published: August 20, 2009

Over the last 50 years, the Country-Town Pool of Orange has seen many Marco Polo games, swimming lessons and lots of splashing by local citizens. The pool celebrated its 50th anniversary this past weekend with a cookout for its members.
The $29,000, 150,000 gallon L-shaped pool opened Saturday, Aug. 15, 1959 under the direction of Captain Fred Turner from Unionville. It was one of several pools in the area including the President Madison Inn pool which opened in July of 1959, the Gordonsville Community swimming pool at Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church, the wading pool at Orange Memorial Playground and the Dix Memorial Pool.
The Country-Town Pool of Orange was constructed by E.E. Harwell Construction Company. To pay for the pool, the membership fees for the Country-Town Club were increased from $200 to $225 annually.
Nowadays, the pool is still a private club with about 250 members. Despite the span of 50 years, the club dues haven't increased much.
"The annual dues are $395," County-Town Pool Social Chair Lisa Sparks said. "It's the same for single memberships or family memberships. Everyone thinks they are getting a bargain."
According to Sparks, the pool is basically a not-for-profit organization with each member acting as a shareholder. All of the dues go to pay for the operation of the pool.
"People join the pool for the family atmosphere," Sparks said.
The pool is also home to the Orange Otters swim team. According to Sparks, a lot of families join the pool just to have their children join the swim team.
"We currently have about 125 kids on the team," she said. "It's a good team. We won the championship this year."
In order to celebrate the pool's 50th anniversary, a large celebratory dinner was held for the members Saturday along with lifeguard Olympics.
The pool staff consists of six full-time lifeguards and a number of substitutes, as well as a manager and assistant manager. It opens annually the Saturday before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day.
According to Sparks, there are some memberships still available. For more information, contact Susan Southard at 672-4545.

Pool celebrates golden anniversary

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