Who We Are

Friends of the Pool (FOTP) is a volunteer association committed to preserving the pool at West Shore Community College (WSCC) for the public it serves, and to promoting water safety, swim instruction, aquatic exercise, and community wellness. 

The incentive for incorporating FOTP is the possibility that our community might lose this valuable asset. The college Board of Trustees recently approved renovations to the campus Recreation Center that did not include its pool, which has seen minimal investment since it was built in 1975. 

As part of our mission, FOTP is talking to the community, civic, and business organizations about the protection, preservation, enhancement, proper management, and use of this precious resource, not only for those affiliated with the college, but for the community that supports it with its patronage and tax dollars. 

With non-profit status, FOTP intends to sponsor and coordinate fundraising activities that will direct money to specific projects that support the pool, its lifeguards and users.

Our Members

Members are kept informed of FOTP activities either online or through periodic meetings. Our members are also an important source of feedback and are surveyed on relevant issues. 

85% of our members are members of the WSCC Rec Center, and 87% use the pool regularly. The average member of FOTP has used the pool for nearly eight years. Members use the pool for lap swim, water exercise/aerobics, therapy, recreation, and teaching a child to swim. They would like to see additional programming at the pool including a return of formal aerobics classes, stretching/mobility classes, youth swim lessons, adult swim lessons and stroke clinics, open family swimming and water safety instruction.

Our Board of Directors

Our organization is board directed. The board currently meets monthly to plan and initiate activities to:

  • Advocate for the maintenance and sustainability of the pool

  • Gather information via FOIA requests of the college

  • Suggest programming changes to increase usage of the pool

  • Support users and lifeguards

  • Raise awareness within the community of the importance of a community pool for water safety and wellness

  • Communicate with members, stakeholders, and the public at large

Current Board Officers

Cathy Schindler, President

Dan Connolly, Vice President

Tom Kalina, Treasurer

Grant Kriz, Secretary

For a full list of Board members and their biographical information, [Click Here].