Plains Piranhas donate big to f ix pool

They say that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach – the Committee for Safe Swimming (CSS) hopes that the way to donations is the same route.

Janice Hanson, president of the CSS, is heading a "Fill the Pool Easter Truffles" campaign to raise money to repair the E.L. Johnson Memorial Pool in Plains. The pool is in need of major repairs and the town doesn't have the budget to get it fixed, said Mayor Dan Rowan, who added that it was leaking around 15,000 gallons of water each day last summer. He believes it will take some $30,000 to get the pool repaired.

The CSS will be selling chocolate truffles as a way to raise funds. But even before bakers go into the truffle mode, the Plains Piranhas Swim Team donated $5,000 of their fundraising money to the project. Dan Helterline, president of the swim team, met with Hanson last week at McGowan's Grocery Store to present her with the check. CSS put up a symbolic thermometer at the store three weeks ago to show the fundraiser progress. The nonprofit group started with $20,000 in its kitty. Through a Plains resident, CSS also received $250 from Thrivent Financial out of Wisconsin.

Rowan said they won't know for sure on the severity of the leakage until the pool can be filled in March. He plans to utilize public works staff to take up the old concrete and haul it away to save money. The town paid $3,900 to fix the pool boiler last year, but the technician told the mayor that it is old and would probably need replacing in the near future. The town budgeted $41,945 for the pool, but half goes to lifeguard salaries and their certification. The rest goes for materials and minor repairs. Rowan said the pool is not a profit maker, but he believes it is an important part of the community. CSS has donated around $140,000 for pool repairs since the organization was created in 2002.

The pool was constructed in the mid 1970s, but started having major breakdowns around 2002. CSS was created to help keep the pool running. The organization recently held a meeting to ascertain if there is local interest in building a new indoor pool that could be open year-round. They plan to hold another meeting on the subject sometime in March.

Hanson said their goal is to raise $50,000 to get the old pool open for the 2019 swim season. The group hauled in nearly $6,400 in its truffle fundraiser in 2011, making 300 dozen truffles. The plan is to begin truffle production the first week in April. Order forms can be picked up at McGowan's Grocery or through Gennifer Deschamps of the swim team. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help make the truffles can contact Hanson at 826-3656 or Deschamps at 544-6419. The truffles will be $25 a dozen. People can have an assortment, which includes espresso, orange, salted caramel, lemon, raspberry and mint, or get a dozen of one or two flavors.

Helterline said the pool is essential to the swim team, which has eight meets a year, including one hosted in Plains.

"The pool has some obvious maintenance issues and we have to get it fixed to continue the swim team," said Helterline. His daughter, Alexis, has been a Piranha for six years and competed at state finals twice.

The swim team has fundraisers to help pay for its coach, gas for its out-of-town meets, Montana swim federation fees, meet fees and team equipment. Jack Couch of Hamilton might return as coach this year, said Helterline.

"I think the swim team has a super good program and it is something productive for the kids to do in the summer," said Helterline. "I would encourage high school kids to join. It's a good physical fitness building sport. The kids that swim all summer would go back to school in top physical condition," he added. Helterline also said the swim team will be looking into grants to help repair the pool.

"Having our pool full of water and functioning for the 2019 swim season is our utmost goal," said Hanson, who encourages residents to consider financial support. "Together we can fill our pool, continue its legacy and keep our community safe."