St. Johnsbury, VT Community Resources

St. Johnsbury Community Resources

Paul Bengtson, CEO
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
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Kiwanis Pool – a Summertime Treasure

    Did you know that St. Johnsbury is home to one of the oldest public pools in Vermont? The local Kiwanis Club owns and operates an outdoor pool facility in St. Johnsbury, on Barker Ave. next to the St. Johnsbury School, that is open – and free -- to the public all summer.
    Brian LaClair, past President and currently on the Kiwanis Board of Directors, explains the reason why the local Kiwanis Club decided to build the pool in 1944. “There had been several instances of children drowning while swimming unsupervised in the local rivers,” he says. The relatively new Kiwanis Club decided to take on the issue and provide a safe place for swimming, and for children to learn to swim. “Originally the club charged a small fee for lessons,” says LaClair. “But in the early 1950s, the club members decided to make them free, so everyone who was interested could learn to swim.” LaClair is quick to point out that the pool is open and free not just to St. Johnsbury residents, but to everyone.
    “Building the pool during World War II was not easy,” says LaClair. “The club had to get special permission to build it, and to stockpile all the materials before it was started, to be sure they wouldn’t have to stop in the middle of the construction.” He adds that it was a real community effort to build the pool, with many non-Kiwanians pitching in to help with construction.
    Today the pool is run by the members of Kiwanis, and the community helps by supporting the fundraising efforts of the club. It takes approximately $50,000 each year to operate and keep up the pool, not to mention countless volunteer hours getting it ready for the season. This year, the pool opens June 16, so all the club meetings in May and June are devoted to preparing the facility for the summer. Kiwanis is having a No Clothes Yard Sale June 14 and 15 at Wes Ward Auto on Route 2, as part of its fundraising efforts. As its major annual fundraiser, the club hosts a 3-night auction every March. Along with other smaller fundraisers, the efforts are all to raise the money required to keep the pool operating and free. The town of St. Johnsbury annually gives a $16,000 appropriation to Kiwanis to help defray some of the expenses of the pool.
    Four Red Cross-certified lifeguards are on duty at the pool at any given time. The main pool measures 75 by 100 feet and has 3 diving boards. There is also a “baby pool” for the little ones. New this year is a bocce court next to the pool, with bocce ball sets available to use. Just down the hill from the pool are 3 tennis courts that are also owned by the Kiwanis Club and are free and open to the public. Programs at the tennis courts are coordinated by the St. Johnsbury Recreation Department.
    Bob and Denise Stuart, Co-Chairs of the Kiwanis Pool Committee, outline the programs offered at the Kiwanis pool:
    Swim lessons are held every weekday morning for kids through teens. There are also special swimming programs, including a Water Safety Instructor Aide course, Beginning Swimming for teens and adults, an Aquatics program for infants and preschoolers, and Special Olympics. Adult lap swim sessions are held for those who like to take a quick lunchtime swim, too. The pool also has a competitive swim team/club called the "Piranhas" that is open to all ages.
    For more information about the Kiwanis pool or any of its programs, contact Pool Director Sandy Lazerick at 684-1026. And if you’d like to become part of Kiwanis, the club meets every Monday evening at 6:15 at the Black Bear Tavern in St. Johnsbury.

Community Resources

St. Johnsbury, though a small town of 7,500 people, has a big heart. When someone is in need, there is always an organization ready to help. Here is a listing of some of the key community resources St. Johnsbury has to offer.