The Lakota YMCA's new indoor and outdoor swimming pools will open this month, adding a new dimension of programming for residents in this growing Butler County suburban area.

Dick Federle and John Schaller look over plans for the newly enclosed pool area. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        Now, in addition to offering year-round fitness and water therapy programs, the Lakota Y will be the host facility for Lakota High swimming and diving teams.

        Neither Lakota West nor Lakota East has a pool.

        “There's a lot of resources to be tapped here,” Y aquatics director Terry Ruskin said.

        The Lakota Y at 6703 Yankee Road opened in 1993. Its membership is estimated at more than 3,000, a 15 percent increase over last year and the highest annual increase ever since the Y was established in 1988.

        Executive director John Schaller attributes the record growth to the Y's improvements.

        “Any time you add the kinds of services we're adding, the community gets excited and so do the members, and that translates into more interest and participation,” Mr. Schaller said.

        At $1.7 million, the swimming pool project is the Y's most expensive improvement to date.

        The original 25-yard outdoor pool is now enclosed and should open within two weeks.

        The new, adjacent outdoor pool is three times as large as the indoor pool and has a zero-depth (beach-like) entry.

        The outdoor pool also has fountains, sprinklers, a 16-foot serpentine water slide and other water-play features.

        “I think the Y's grown for what the membership needs and what the membership wants,” said Brad Lovell, pool manager and second-year head coach for the Y's swimming team.

        Future plans for the Y include a second-floor running track in the gymnasium, a senior citizens center, game room, indoor playground and expanded fitness area.

        Dick Federle, 73, a founding board member and retired builder and developer, has taken a hands-on approach to the new pool addition.

        Recently, he helped install decorative bricks around the foundation.

        “It's a pretty nice reward when you see kids out here having fun,” he said.

        For more information about the Lakota Y, call 779-3917.
       

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