Pool time is cool time
From left, Kiah Nesbit, Kaydence Borbon and Taylor Goss enjoy the cool of the pool in Quincy. Photos by Mari Erin RothPlumas County is the home of many natural lakes, swimming holes, rivers, streams and creeks for cooling off amidst summer heat.
But not everyone can get out in nature to take a dip. For those situations, time constraints or preferences, local community pools come to the rescue.
The value of local pools has come into the spotlight lately with the expensive ventures aging and in need of repair. Shifting land has created the possibility of cost prohibitive (over a million dollars) repairs for some Eastern Plumas pools.
Feather River Fitness Center has opted to repair the outdoor pool connected to the fitness center in Quincy. “It is one of the few locations with lap swim available during all open pool hours,” according to Rapids swim team instructor Paul Vaughn. The anticipated opening after repairs is hoped to be mid-July.
Pioneer pool will have double duty, as it will be the only pool open in Quincy until the fitness center pool repairs are finished.
At White Sulphur Springs Ranch, major repairs were needed and its pool has been dug up. What remains is a “pile of rebar that needs to be removed,” said Judith Porpe-Lullo who is assisting with the effort to get the pool up and running again.
A group called the Mohawk Valley Stewardship Council is facilitating the revitalization project. The group is soliciting support to add to grants received, with a completion date of 2018.
“The construction plan is done and we have the permits,” said Porpe-Lullo.
Indian Valley Community Pool, located at 4526 Main St. in Taylorsville, is open for daily swim from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Indian Valley pool was built in 1961 as a club pool. It was shut down for many years until funds were raised to renovate it and reopen it as a community pool.
“We have life guards, the deck is repaired and the pool is ready to go,” according to the Indian Valley Recreation and Park District website.
“Swim school lessons are already sold out,” said pool organizer Megan Neer, who stated there are still some spots open for private lessons.
Public lap swimming is open for an hour between noon and 1 p.m. Public swim is from 1 to 5 p.m. Water aerobics are offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The pool is also available as a rental for special occasions and the fee includes a lifeguard on duty.
“For years the pool has been managed by volunteers who devote their summer to keeping it open. This year the Taylorsville pool is again managed by a committee of dedicated volunteers,” said Neer, who seemed very willing to add more names to that list.
For information on private lessons or summer pool passes contact Megan Neer at 284-7462 or Doti McDowell at 284-7532.
For scholarships or more information on all things “Taylorsville pool,” call IVRPD Community Center at 284-7385.
The city of Portola pool is open daily from noon until 5 p.m. Three swim lesson sessions are scheduled with five levels to choose from. The group lessons run June 19 through 30, July 10 through 21 and the last series runs from July 31 through Aug. 11. Team practice and lap swim is from 8 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Friday night family swim is open from 6 p.m. until dark. Water aerobics are Monday through Thursdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. For more information on the city of Portola pool, call 832-5766.
