There’s nothing like a cool swimming pool on a hot day. As summers get warmer, the availability of community swimming pools becomes increasingly more relevant to residents of all ages. But the true impact of a community pool is much deeper. From socialization to water safety, and countless benefits in between, the Mountain Top Swimming Pool has been enriching lives since 1969. And it’s more relevant now, than ever.
Set on 26 beautiful acres donated by Marie and Clair Hall, the Olympic-sized Mountain Top Swimming Pool shares space with a ballfield, campground, and carnival grounds, and its purpose as a community resource has always been at the heart of its existence. While the pool welcomes guests from anywhere, its connection to the Mountain Top community is powerful.
“Our community knows how to pull together in hard times. That’s why the pool is still open after 55 years,” said Jennifer Nastase, president of the Mountain Top Area Pool Association. “Local organizations like Centre Foundation have given generous support. Volunteers have given countless hours to maintenance over many years.”
Jennifer stressed that having the pool available and accessible to local youth is increasingly critical. “Mountain Top Swimming Pool is one of the last places for young people in our area to go, so we strive to make it a great place,” she said. “We have lots of lounge chairs and picnic tables and a beautiful pavilion donated by Fred Thompson. On cooler days we have even incorporated crafts and other activities for kids.”
Attracting teenagers is equally as important and a big reason the pool association made sure to replace its diving boards. “The diving boards are in constant use for belly flops, cannonballs, and a few sleek, smooth dives,” Jennifer joked. A Field-of-Interest grant from Centre Foundation’s J. Alvin and Vera E. Knepper Hawbaker Memorial Fund helped to make the project possible.
“One of my best pool memories from last summer is of watching four boys around 12 years old, trying to jump into the pool at the exact same time, over and over,” she continued. “I think they were in and out of the pool about 15 times. No electronics, just pure summer fun.”
For the past two summers, with Bellefonte’s Kepler Pool closed for repairs, Mountain Top Swimming Pool welcomed many Bellefonte residents, along with children from the Bellefonte YMCA Summer Camp program.
“Our pool has a capacity of 295 bathers with a huge yard for activities and plenty of seating,” Jennifer said.
“We have definitely been able to fill the gap for Bellefonte families, and even for State College residents who came to swim laps this past summer when the State College YMCA pool was closed for renovations.”
The pool has done more than stood the test of time; it’s become a family tradition. It’s commonplace to see grandparents who enjoyed the pool as children bring their grandchildren.
Close to 700 people visited the Mountain Top Swimming Pool this past summer, cooling off, staying active, and enjoying time with neighbors, friends, and family. With continued community support, like the effort by the Milesburg Lions Club, which opened a fund with Centre Foundation in 2022 to support the pool, many more guests will enjoy these benefits in future summers.
“A great summer night is being at the pool, someone grilling hot dogs, kids eating ice cream, music playing, and people of all ages being together and having fun,” Jennifer said. “That sums up what the pool means to our community. That’s why we do everything we do to make sure it thrives.”