Summer events going along swimmingly at North Kitsap Pool

POULSBO — After some tough times in recent years, things are going swimmingly at the North Kitsap Community Pool.

This summer, the pool offers a plethora of classes and activities for swimmers of all ages, and has turned its financial picture in a positive direction.

"A year ago, I was afraid the pool would close," said Community Pool Advisory Committee member Jan Harrison. "Right now I'm very optimistic. I think we're in great shape."

Administrators say the pool's finance's have improved as pool use booms. From September 2008 to April 2009, the CPAC and pool administrators reduced overall expenses by more than $86,000 compared to the same period the year before. With the help of donations and improved programs and marketing strategies, DeVries said the pool's fiscal condition looks bright.

"A lot of it just has to do with creating a positive environment around the pool, letting people know that the pool is open, that it has been saved and we're still the best place for kids to learn to swim," DeVries said.

Among the summer activities offered at the pool is the Summer Splash swim camp, which began last week and runs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of August and is open to kids aged 5 to 11. The camp includes swim lessons, arts and crafts projects, outdoor games and an open swim time.

"Summer is a great time to learn how to swim," DeVries said. "And swim lessons aren't just for water safety; they're about a lifelong love for the water."

Adult activities abound as well. The Adult Fitness swim class meets each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m., and water aerobics sessions run throughout the week. Paddlers of all ages can get in on open swims each weekday between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., as well as lap swims six mornings a week.

"People use the pool from ages 8 to 80, and probably on either side of that," Harrison said. "It's a piece of Poulsbo that you can value."

According to DeVries, the pool has already seen heavily increased enrollment this summer.

"Registration is up for sure," he said.

Pool staff are still working to attract new members, improving the quality of gear and facilities and tapping into new media. The pool will get a fresh coat of paint later this month, goggles for sale now are better than before, and DeVries plans to create Facebook and Twitter accounts for the pool.

"It's a fundamental shift in the idea of what a pool can be," DeVries said.

Still, DeVries said, the pool could always use more traffic. But if the positive trends continue, swimmers will have a home in Poulsbo for a long time.

"This pool belongs to the community, and it's the community that is going to keep it open," DeVries said. "If you want to save your pool, use your pool."

Contact North Kitsap Herald Schools/Sports reporter Brian Olson at bolson@northkitsapherald.com.

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