THE RECORD

March 20, 1996

BACK TO THE EGG

Suzanne Trevis

I can recall when I was little the best swimming hole for miles around was out at Antler Lake. I've got some great memories of days spent lying out on the floats, racing back and forth from the beach to the middle of the lake, and having cannonball contests off the diving board.

Most times somebody's mom (usually mine) ferried us all out for the day, but occasionally we'd drag our inner tubes up to the Gulf Station to be filled, then we'd hike the two, long, dusty miles out to the warmest lake in the region.

Then the pool opened at the arena. Not the one we see now, but a small outdoor pool next to the ice rink. Nowadays I've probably seen bigger hot tubs, but back then, it was great! It was definitely warmer than the river and while you couldn't take your tube and it cost money to get in, you didn't have to walk far, and everybody you knew was there too.

I can recall many a hot afternoon trying to squash into whatever shade could be found while waiting in line to get in. The concrete was much hotter than the trees and the gravel ever were.

The first time we finally hauled my eldest daughter off of the side and into the middle of the pool, she screamed blue murder. I'm sure some people must have thought we were trying to drown her. But after a few minutes she got side-tracked trying to splash Mom and she's never looked back.

The second one got lucky, the new pool complex opened not long after her first birthday. And with the bubble pool, the whirlpool and all the great toys, you couldn't have kept her out of the water if you'd wanted too.

All of my children, from 9 years down to 7 months, love the water. The older two swim like fish and could easily spend an entire day there. You can have a break, once they're big enough, and send them on their own, winter or summer, rain or shine. It's also a great opportunity for the entire family to do something together, for less than the cost of a movie.

We took the kids down for family night last week and I was once again tickled that we pretty well had the pool, sauna, and hot tub to ourselves. But at the same time I was disappointed and surprised that more families do not take advantage of this wonderful complex.

We are so lucky to have these facilities in a community this size. You don't have to wait for the snow to go away. You don't have to hike along any dusty roads. You don't have to worry that the weeds have grown up so much nobody wants to swim there this year or that some bear might come along and eat your lunch while your out sleeping on the float (don't laugh, it happened!).

It's warm, it's friendly and your kids will love the opportunity to do something fun, together. And if you're really lucky, you can watch the deer eating lunch outside while you relax. How many recreation facilities can say that ?

So, about next Tuesday night? I'll expect to see you there.