Originally opening in 1972, the pool has been a source of recreation for most of the population of Clinton County. It is the only outdoor aquatic facility in southern/central Clinton County, with the only other outdoor public pool located at Hyner State Park.

The pool was incredibly popular with residents of Clinton County from its inception.

In a June 1972 edition of The Express, a staff reporter covered the dedication ceremony of the pool where there were over 500 people in attendance.

Among those 500 was a surprise highlight — Buster Crabbe.

PHOTO PROVIDED An example of the aging pool — which is crumbling and needs extensive repairs — is shown.

Crabbe was an American Olympic swimmer and film actor who appeared in more than 100 films in his lifetime. He is best known for roles such as Tarzan from “King of the Jungle (1933).”

Crabbe was friends with Dr. Richard S. Clover, Jr., who practiced medicine in Lamar for around 25 years. Clover, an amateur pilot, flew Crabbe from his home in New York to Lock Haven in his Piper Navajo.

Crabbe was quoted at the time saying, “my thing is the water” before diving into the pool.

He gave a 30-minute “performance” and swimming demonstration.

The dedication ceremony included a parade with parade marshal Dean K. Wetzler and bands from Sugar Valley, Bucktail and Bald Eagle Nittany High School, and fire companies from Mill Hall, Lock Haven, Flemington and Castanea.

EXPRESS ARCHIVES Motion picture star Buster Crabbe is pictured during his visit to the community pool at Mill Hall Park.

The pool was a huge improvement to the community, and at the time the community came out in droves to support it.

People from throughout Clinton County have made use of the pool for recreation, social development, exercise and as a place to gather with loved ones for special events and occasions.

The pool has seen thousands walk through its gates since opening, offering families a safe and healthy outdoor space to enjoy the water and weather.

Numerous exercise classes such as water aerobics and generalized swimming lessons have been held at the pool, and it has been utilized for local swim teams to practice.

According to a former manager of the pool, an estimated 30 children took swimming lessons at the pool annually.

PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured is the non-ADA accessible bath house, one of many issues that will be addressed through the revitalization effort.

Community organizations such as daycares have brought students to the space for an opportunity to exercise and have fun.

The pool was also host to reunions, birthday parties and other special events over the years such as Mill Hall Community Days.

“The social development that has occurred here you can’t measure. We are so proud that kids have an opportunity to grow in this kind of environment where they can learn how to function within a safe setting,” said Mill Hall Mayor Tom Bossert, “If we can’t get citizens to realize how important this (pool) is, it would be a tragedy. If we don’t manage this, the pool will close.”

Out of the thousands who have used the pool over the years, a few community members had a lot to say about their experiences.

“Mill Hall Pool brings back a bunch of great memories for me as a former swimmer and summer league coach,” said Jerry Hammaker, Head Coach of Commonwealth University-Lock Haven Women’s Swimming team, “The old wooden blocks and the sloping bottom proved to be an advantage for those who could improvise and adapt. As a kid, the concession stand was always a winner! As a long time pool record holder, there are many memories of inspired competition amongst friends. Mill Hall Pool has helped develop a number of the area’s top swimmers, who have gone on to swim in college and become coaches. Just keep swimmin’, Mill Hall Pool!”

Former Central Mountain High School Swim Coach Jim Merinar offered his greatest memory at the pool; it was the 1983 Susquehanna Swim League championship when Mill Hall won it all.

He also fondly recalled the Max Headroom WSQV van that used to come and have dance parties.

“(Working at) the Mill Hall Pool was and is a great summer job. (You are) outside, (there are) lots of fun people and a great (facility). From a learn to swim standpoint — the pool was and is a great place to learn to swim — the 2 and half feet really helps everyone loosen up and you can go gradually, deeper and deeper. It really is a good learning pool (and) a great swim team pool,” said Carol Matheney, “You could really spread out all the age groups and levels of swimming, while having other family members in the shallow end.”

Lana Sachetti shared memories of her time as a child attending the Community Pool at Mill Hall Park.

“One of my favorite memories is mom dropping us off at 11 when it opened, giving us a dollar to get ice cream sandwiches and chips out of the vending machines and picking us back up at 7 when it closed everyday. Lisa and I were so brown from our days spent in the sun. We loved our days spent at the Mill Hall Pool,” she said.

Lisa Bolopue shared her memories as well, including the quarter slushies at the snack bar and night-swimming escapades.

“Mom basically used the pool as her babysitter. We had a family membership and spent every single day there from opening to close! (It was) so fun to swim all night with our friends on warm summer nights. Having the underwater pool lights on so you could see to swim really added to the ambience of the evenings. We would be dropped off at dark and swim all night with a large group of friends,” she said.

With aging equipment, lack of ADA accessibility, a decaying pool deck and more — the pool is certainly showing its age.

The pool needs constant maintenance with costs between $25,000 and $50,000 a year.

To resolve these issues, the Mill Hall Borough Council has a plan in motion following a feasibility study, funded by the Clinton County Commissioners, including a full aquatic facility renovation.

These plans include a new skimmer system, new filtration and chlorination equipment, a new wading pool, slides and a diving board, non-skid deck treatment and added shade areas. The upgrades will also include a competition-length pool so that swimmers can prepare for swim competitions.

The pool will cost approximately $2 million to renovate to this extent, and the Mill Hall Borough is currently looking for funding avenues to keep the pool alive for future generations.

The borough has to match the $952,000 they received in grant money from Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in 2022. The grant came from a $90 million community revitalization initiative from the state.

At this time, the borough has secured approximately $350,000 from donors to help meet the match. While this is an incredible accomplishment, it is only 35 percent of the needed amount. If they do not match the grant by 2026, they will lose the money granted to them.

One of the most important factors in donation the borough wants the public to know is the pool project qualifies under The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

In order to qualify for NAP, a project must serve distressed areas or support neighborhood conservation.

NAP offers substantial support for neighborhoods and communities across Pennsylvania. NAP benefits businesses by making their financial contributions to projects in their community largely offset by tax credits.

Through NAP, businesses can receive up to 95% in tax credits on their contributions to a community project such as the pool. To find out more about this, visit dced.pa.gov/programs/neighborhood-assistance-program-nap

Anyone with questions regarding a donation or anyone interested in making a pledge can contact the Mill Hall Borough at 570-726-4008.