Friends of the Lebanon Community Pool have officially organized into a nonprofit organization, calling themselves, aptly, Friends of Lebanon Pool.
Their purpose: to actively support the community pool through fundraising and other projects.
It was born out of a “short lived” fundraising committee of the Lebanon Aquatic District Board of Directors in 2024, explained Robert Waterhouse, treasurer of the new nonprofit. The committee began brainstorming events and other fundraising opportunities for the pool’s needed renovation projects.
“Our original fundraising goals were designed around the expected renovation of the pool, which we thought would occur (in 2025) between August and October,” he said. “We were going to target donations for specific items that would be outside the scope of the renovation project but would be needed as a result of the project.”
Those items include new starting blocks, entry ladders, backstroke flags and diving board.
However, they soon realized they could do more than throw a couple of fundraising events.
“It was in that committee that we identified a need for a 501c3 organization that could apply for grants from entities that do not fund government entities, like the LAD,” he said.
Friends of Lebanon Pool is just getting their feet wet as a new nonprofit fundraising arm for the community pool, and are not yet taking on memberships, Waterhouse said. The vision has also tweaked a little since renovation did not happen as expected.
While they wait to see what the Lebanon Aquatic District and Lebanon Community School District will do regarding pool renovations, the Friends are looking at other ways to support the pool and the community.
“We are focused, for now, on raising funds to purchase a new set of entry steps for the warm pool,” Waterhouse said. “Secondly, we would like to help pay for some new lane lines.”
Other ideas they’ve considered included: sponsorship of Swim Club members for low-income families, making a family pass available at the Lebanon Public Library that patrons can check-out, and funding swim lessons for children from low-income families.
But one thing’s for certain: they will bring back the Splash for Cash swim marathon event they kicked off last year. Last year, FOLP Board Member Rose Kress reported to the LAD board that their inaugural event raised $14,000 for the pool. Waterhouse said they expect to host the second annual event in February or March this year.
“I am looking forward to doing some good fundraising in 2026 and contributing to appreciation for and success of our Lebanon Pool,” Waterhouse said.