The Waynesboro Area YMCA has launched the “Save Our Pool” campaign, calling on community members and even Santa Claus to help fund critical repairs to the filtration system of its larger pool. The YMCA faces a $350,000 expense to fix the system, essential to the facility’s operations and community activities.
To date, the campaign has raised about $100,000. Kim Eaton, CEO of the YMCA, emphasized the community’s recognition of the pool’s value. The pool caters to various groups, including children receiving swim lessons, summer camp attendees, and adult lap swimmers. It is also utilized daily by about 80 young swimmers from the YMCA’s WAVES team and the Waynesboro Area Senior High School swim team.
The need for repairs became urgent after Eaton, who assumed her role in February 2024, discovered leaks and other issues with the basement’s 20-year-old filtration system. Despite applying for a federal grant, the YMCA did not receive funding and recently saw its water bill double, prompting immediate action.
The planned repairs involve draining and fixing the pool after the swim season in March, with a closure of about a month anticipated. Some system components will be relocated to ground level, echoing the original 1975 design, and the basement concrete will be repaired.
In addition to the filtration system overhaul, the campaign will fund a new retaining wall to support the deep end of the large pool. Meanwhile, recent enhancements such as new seating, storage, and steps have been made to the pool area, although the mechanical repairs themselves will not be visible to visitors.
The community can support the fundraising efforts at the inaugural Swim With Santa event scheduled for December 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will feature games, crafts, and photo opportunities with Santa, who will join the festivities in the pool. The entrance fee is $15 per person, and a raffle will also contribute to the fundraising efforts.
For more details on how to contribute to the “Save Our Pool” campaign or participate in Swim With Santa, contact the Waynesboro Area YMCA at 717-762-6012 or visit their website at waynesboroymca.org.
