Fundraiser to support Buhl Park pool

May 7—HERMITAGE — Before the summer season kicks off at Buhl Park's swimming pool, the public is invited to the "Party at the Pool," a first-time fundraiser to support the pool.

The party will be from 7 to 10 p.m. May 17, and will be an over-21 event featuring the Vegas Reunion Band from Youngstown, Ohio.

Chick-fil-A will have a food truck present, while Erme's Distributing will bring a beer truck, Buhl Park Sports and Recreation Director Markee Juranovich said.

Cash sales include a 50/50 raffle and jello shots.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their dancing shoes instead of swimsuits, according to the event flyer.

"Having kid-friendly activities are wonderful, but sometimes mom and dad need a night out without the kids, and we have a very unique environment here at the park," Juranovich said.

"There's not many places in town where you can listen to a band outdoors, grab some food and enjoy the scenery like we have with Lake Julia at the park."

In the event of rain, the party will be moved into the Buhl Park Casino next to the pool.

This party will be the first of its kind for the pool. If successful, Juranovich said the party could become an annual event.

Tickets can be purchased online for $10 beforehand, or at the door for $15.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://buhlpark.golfems2.com/event/party-pool-tickets.

Any funds raised by the party will go toward the pool's operating costs, which have continued to increase over the past few years, Juranovich said.

Even though the cost of "virtually everything" has gone up, Juranovich said park officials have tried making changes to avoid raising the costs for visitors.

Last year, visitors were allowed to start bringing their own food to the pool instead of being restricted to the pool's concession stand.

"We know $10 for a day pass is expensive, so if you have a few kids you're bringing to swim, that means you're spending $40 and then more to buy food," Juranovich said.

Juranovich stressed that the swimming pool does not generate profits for the park, and that any fundraising efforts, such as Party at the Pool, are meant to continue the pool's operations for the public.

"We're not doing this to make money, we're doing it to provide a pool for the community," she said.

The pool will open for Memorial Day weekend from noon to 8 p.m. May 25 through May 27.

The pool will then open daily from noon to 8 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day, Sept. 2, known locally as Buhl Day.

On Wednesdays, the pool will be open from noon to 5 p.m. due to swimming lessons in the evening. Day passes cost $5 instead of $10 on Wednesdays.

Last year saw more than 20,000 total visits over the course of the summer season, with about 350 people visiting the pool on Memorial Day alone, Juranovich said.

"It seemed like more people came to the park's pool last year, but we had to close the season early in mid-August due to a pump break," she said.

Returning this year are "Wellness Wednesdays," which offer lap swimming from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. The evening hours are a new addition this summer.

While morning hours are available for lap swimming throughout the week for those with season passes, Wednesday allows people to lap swim without a season pass, Juranovich said.

"People take lap swimming very seriously — usually they'd bring timers, swim caps and goggles with them," Juranovich said.

Another program, the Aquabody fitness class by Roscoe Physiotherapy, is offered from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays for $10.

"Some people will even stay afterward and set up a yoga mat next to the pool," she said.

Wellness Wednesdays also offer swimming lessons organized by instructors from the Sharon Learn to Swim program, which are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings.

The program is divided into four levels, with two five-week sessions held throughout the summer, Juranovich said.

The five-week swim lessons and a T-shirt cost $65.

"We have some parents who drop off their kids and hang out at the pool, and other parents who walk around Lake Julia while their kids are swimming," Juranovich said.

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