Aquatic center receives grant to upgrade pool facility

Published Date

BARTLETT — The White Mountain Aquatic Foundation received a generous and timely $1,000 grant award recently from the Rotary Club of North Conway that will be used to construct an airlock addition to the entrance of its indoor pool at the New England Inn.  When completed the entryway will make the facility more energy efficient, comfortable and cleaner.

The White Mountain Aquatic Foundation, a 501(3)c nonprofit, was established in 2007 "to develop a multiple-use community aquatic center in the Mount Washington Valley to provide public access to aquatic education, recreation, safety, competition, fitness and rehabilitation programs."

Last June, the foundation signed a five-year lease with the owners of the New England Inn to operate and manage the inn's indoor pool facility. The pool is now home to the White Mountain Aquatic Center.   

The center is the only facility in the area offering year-round aquatic programming to people of all ages and abilities. According to Maury McKinney, vice president of the foundation, over 100 children per week participate in learn-to-swim programs and swim teams. There are also around 30 to 40 adults per week involved in adult programs such as our Masters Workout Group, Water Aerobics, Aqua Zumba, and Water Movement for Seniors. Other adults use the pool for fitness swimming, water therapy and family swims.  

The White Mountain Aquatic Foundation goal, according to its website (http://whitemountainaquatic.com/), is "to establish a three-pool, multiple-use aquatic center in the Mount Washington Valley. This facility is the missing piece in our community that will provide aquatic education, recreation, safety, competition, fitness and rehabilitation services. We believe this facility will enhance the health and quality of life, and strengthen the ties of community for our residents and visitors."

"The board of directors of the White Mountain Aquatic Foundation is grateful for the support being provided by Rotary Club of North Conway," McKinney said. "We believe this capital renovation will help distinguish our pool as a fun and comfortable place for our residents and visitors to get safe, get fit and get well."

Memberships are now available at the White Mountain Aquatic Center.

"Come swim with us at our new home at the New England Inn in Intervale," the website states. "Whether you want to swim laps, water walk, do your own therapy/rehab, or swim with your family, you can do that all here at our pool. We want our facility and programs to have a positive impact on the safety, health and wellness of our community."

Memberships are for one person: $40 per month, $100 for three months or $375 for one year. Family: $60 per month, $150 for three months or $575 for one year.

McKinney also coaches the successful Saco Valley Swim Team which is is comprised of swimmers of all ages and abilities from many towns in Mount Washington Valley. Saco Valley Swim Team is affiliated with the Granite State Swim Association, which is a summer recreational league consisting of about 30 swim teams from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts. The purpose of the Granite State Swim Association is to promote and develop competitive swimming.

The Saco Valley Swim Team most recently competed in a winter meet last week indoors in Colebrook.

The winter 2012 session schedule runs from Jan. 9 through March 3. Rates for team members are $15 per swimmer per practice for non-pool member; $12 per swimmer per practice for pool members; $12 per swimmer per practice for families with two children; and $10 per practice for family members with two children.

Coaches McKinney and Bob Magg offer a wide range of practice times with a flexible schedule:

Monday — 5:30-6:30 p.m. for 9-and-under team.

Tuesday — 4:45-5:45 p.m. for 9-10 team and 5:45-6:45 p.m. for 11-12 team.

Wednesday — 4-5 p.m. for development team (ages 10 and under); 5-6 p.m. for junior team (ages 9-12); and 6- 7 p.m. for senior team (ages 13 and up).

Thursday — 4:45-5:45 p.m. for 8-and-under team; and 5:45-6:45 p.m. for 11-12 team.

Friday — 4:45-5:45 p.m. for 10-and-up team.

Saturday — 7-8 a.m. for senior team (ages 11 and up); and 8-9 a.m. for junior team (ages 10 and under).

To learn more about the White Mountain Aquatic Foundation, call 662-7064 or visit the website, whitemountainaquatic.com.