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Cascade Pool to reopen Jan. 4 By PAUL FATTIG WHITE CITY -- A volunteer group is taking the plunge to reopen the old Cascade Pool. The nonprofit Cascade Community Pool Corp. plans to open the pool full time beginning Jan. 4. The aging pool, at 7840 Division Road in White City, was closed this fall by the Rogue Valley Family YMCA, which had operated it since 1981, amid concerns about costly repairs. But volunteers have stepped forward to offer financial support as well as time and materials to make many of those repairs, said Joy Reich, board president. "We plan to open it permanently on the fourth," said Reich, a longtime user of the pool. "We'll have everything we had in the past, including all the fitness classes." Before opening full time, the pool will be open from noon to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for open swimming, she said. Originally built by the White City Corp. in 1949, the pool was given to the Eagle Point School District in 1974. In 1981, the district leased it for a dollar a year to the YMCA. The YMCA opted to pull the plug after deciding that repair costs were too high. The local chapter has also decided to consolidate its operations to cut costs, according to YMCA officials. The district, which had encouraged a volunteer group to step forward to take over pool operation, put it into operating condition, including installing a dehumidifier motor and replacing a pump motor. The volunteers have also been busy. Since receiving the keys to the building Nov. 25, they have scraped and scrubbed the facility. They have also repaired or upgraded electrical wiring and hired a part-time aquatic director. "We've done a lot of work on the pool," Reich said. "We've had people cleaning, scraping paint. A lot of people have been very generous." She estimates that nearly $5,000 in money, materials and expertise has been donated to the effort. Radio station KZZE has raised more than $2,000, including a $500 gift certificate for paint to be used at the facility, she said. The pool will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Swimmers can also splash around on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. for lap swimming, and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for open swimming, Reich said. Moreover, the group plans to make the pool available to rent on Sunday for $50. A lifeguard will be provided for groups wanting to rent the facility. The daily charge for using the pool for nonmembers is $2 for adults and $1 for children, age 13 and younger. Memberships are also available. Meanwhile, anyone wanting to work off a Christmas dinner is encouraged to volunteer at the pool for a painting party this weekend. "What we need now are bodies to do painting," Reich said, adding that plans call for painting Saturday and Sunday. For further information about volunteering, call Reich at 826-2520. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA