The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – The Waitsburg City Pool is an even cooler (literally!) place for parents and caregivers to hang out this summer thanks to Friends of the Waitsburg Pool.

The recently formed nonprofit purchased several items to combat the number-one complaint of pool visitors – lack of shade. The group, which operates under the umbrella of Rural Youth Enrichment Services, used funds from last fall's Pie-Oneer Fall Festival Invitational Pie Baking Contest to purchase a shade sail, two large picnic table umbrellas and nine Adirondack chairs for the pool deck.

Kate Hockersmith spearheaded the formation of Friends of the Waitsburg Pool, but says local ladies Megan Brock, Jaimee Knudson and Jessica Kiefel have stepped up to oversee the group.

Dena Wood

Dylan and A.J. Knowles chat under the shade of the newly purchased sun umbrellas.

"We wanted to help kids with certification for lifeguard training, but we didn't have any kids request that," Knudson said. "So we decided to purchase things that the community would enjoy that the city doesn't have the funds to supply."

Knudson said the group probably won't meet again until August, but welcomes more volunteers, especially when it comes time to raise funds again. Knudson said the pie baking/tasting event was very successful and they plan to run it again this year.

"It was a very fun and festive fundraiser. It added fun to the fall festival and raised funds for the pool at the same time," Knudson said.

Anyone interested in participating in Friends of the Pool can contact Knudson, Kiefel or Brock, or send a message via the Friends of Waitsburg Pool Facebook page.