Lineboro-Manchester Lions Club pool open on weekends

After a young boy drowned in a pond in the North Carroll area in the early 1950s, the Lineboro-Manchester Lions Club decided the area needed a safe place to swim, according to Joe Bach, chairman of the Lineboro-Manchester Lions Pool.

Using donkeys to help with dirt removal, club members hand dug a pool in Manchester. Fifty-seven years later, that original pool is one of three the club oversees every summer for the community.

"I grew up at the pool," said Megan Donovan, who will be working her sixth season at the pool as both a lifeguard and pool operator.

Now in college studying to become an elementary teacher, Donovan said working at the pool is the perfect summer job.

"I love it. Who can get tired of being around water?" she said, laughing.

Donovan also likes the sense of community at the pool, and enjoys seeing families and members return every summer.

Pool chairman Bach also spent his youth at the pool. As the pool chairman for the last seven years, he makes sure everything is up and running.

He also follows up on people's suggestions — such as adding a pavilion and umbrellas last year.

"Shade is a big thing," Bach said, as he looked over the three pools — a family pool with diving board; a lap pool and a children's pool — all in the open with no trees nearby .

"We like people coming to the pool and using it," Bach said.

"The costs [of maintaining a pool] are substantial," he said. "We are not in this business to make money. We're in business to keep open."

During the summer, a staff of about 20 people work at the site, which also offers a snack bar, and restrooms/showers. There is a swim team and swim lessons are also available.

The pools open on May 24 for weekends and during the week after June 13.

Pool hours are noon to 7 p.m. Family and individual memberships available. Daily prices are $7 ; $5 for ages 3 to 12; $2 for no swim and ages 2 and under are free.