How do you celebrate a pool’s birthday? With cake, of course!
There was a lot more than a slice of cake for those at the Elm Avenue Pool Complex’s 40th birthday party, though. They were treated to a live band, a bouncy house and, of course, full use of the Town of Bethlehem’s pool facilities.
Summer was in full swing on Sunday, June 9, as people swam and belly flopped into one of three pools, while younger partygoers romped through the splash island. The pool, which had opened the previous day, was met with a break in the dreary weather and residents who had awaited its seasonal return.
“It being 40 years, we wanted to something a little more and extra than our normal summer activities, and what better than a birthday party?” said Jason Gallo, assistant administrator of the town Parks and Recreation Department. “We figured, let’s really celebrate 40 years by having all these extra opportunities and a lot of them we tried to find ways where it is not a large cost.”
The birthday celebration was not the end of the party. A busy schedule of events are planned at the pool, and the next event is a Hawaiian Theme Day on Friday, June 14, concluding with the annual Teen Luau for middle school students.
For four days, starting July 29, kids can get into the Halloween spirit early, because there are themed costume days encouraging them to come dressed up in their favorite costume. Treats will be handed out to costumed kids.
This year will also be the first Duck Pluck Fundraiser, which will see people purchasing a duck for $5. If it is picked from the pool, they’ll win a prize that has been donated by a local business. Funds raised will go towards purchasing pool equipment and supplies.
Gallo said one equipment purchase being eyed is a “funbrella,” which is basically a huge umbrella that provides shade for several people.
“It depends on how much money we can raise, but that is one of the things we are targeting,” Gallo said. “You can fit families underneath it.”
Gallo said the town’s pools have been a “centerpiece” of the summer for families over the years. There are even some vintage photos people can look at showing the facility’s history.
Splash islands replaced the sand pits more than five years ago. Gallo said they “did a number on the pool filters,” because kids would be covered in sand and then jump in the pool. Splash islands now shoot, spray and dump water on kids.
“It is not like the beach where you can just go wash the sand off, the sand actually went somewhere into our filtration system,” he said.
The Elm Avenue Pool Complex building has essentially remained unchanged for 40 years, with repairs and slight renovations made.
James Knox, of Delmar, was with his two daughters and son sitting by the band after getting out of the pool. Knox said he comes to the pool every year with his kids.
“It is just a great place to come and take the kids and see people from town,” Knox said.
Steve Phelps, was standing in the pool as his 3-and-a-half-year-old son, Will, jumped from the pool’s edge into his arms. Phelps said coming to the pool makes for a break from everything around him.
“My wife made me stop doing yard work,” he said and laughed. “I left the smartphone at home and the whole nine.”
All the summer’s events can be viewed on the pool complex’s page on the town’s website at www.townofbethlehem.org.