COAL TOWNSHIP - The Edgewood Swim Club, located near the Shamokin Area School District grounds, stands as an area of summer fun in a quiet neighborhood of Coal Township.
The swimming and picnic area along Stetler Drive was started to fulfill a need for a community pool after Edgewood Park and its swimming pool closed for good in the early 1960s.
"When Edgewood closed down for good, the closest public swimming pool was at Knoebels in Elysburg," swim club president Mike Dormer said.
Neighborhood resident Charles Verano had the idea to bring back the pool and about 60 residents chipped in a membership fee that became the seed money to start the club.
Today, the facility is known as the Charles A. Verano Memorial Pool.
"It was utilized until Shamokin got grant money and established the community pool on Rock Street in 1971," Dormer said.
The swim club was established in 1973 when the clubhouse was built. Members enjoyed full use of the building, grounds and pool - at one point, Edgewood was the largest fresh-water swimming pool in the state.
"After using the pool on Sunday, it was drained, then filled with fresh water on Monday," the president said.
A membership-driven swim club raises misconception from the public, Dormer said.
"When you mention the Edgewood Swim Club, many people in the area think you have to be a resident of Stetler Drive or the surrounding area to join," Dormer said, but membership is open to all families in the area, as long as a family membership is purchased. Rates are comparable to many other community pools in the area. The difference at Edgewood, he said, is the openness of the area.
"We never charge our members for using our picnic facilities and have a small kitchen on site with two stoves and a refrigerator," Dormer said. "We also have gas grills, pool items and chairs which people can use. They don't have to bring their own."
Many of the members are also volunteers at the pool and help with maintenance. In fact, most of the work at the club is done by volunteers, except for three paid lifeguards.
The pool was ready for the season last week, but the torrential rains on June 10 put a wrench into the plans.
"The rain washed out a lot of dirt from the hillside and it traveled across the grass and right into the pool; we're working on that this weekend.
Despite the pool not being open, the grounds are still open for people to picnic, play and enjoy a great day out,
"We will be open noon to 8 p.m., seven days a week," Dormer said. "So come have a great time."