Reopening JCC pool good deal all around

By Martha Hardcastle

TROTWOOD--It's not unusual for various community groups to pool their interests, but expect a big splash this summer from the efforts of three local entities.

The Dayton Jewish Community Center in Trotwood had voted to close its outdoor pool, the Kleptz YMCA in Englewood had no outdoor pool and the city of Trotwood was looking at lower expectations for its aging outdoor pool.

So the three combined their resources to reopen the JCC pool, one of the largest in the area with more than 400,000 gallons to fill.

"We were going to open but when we were offered to become a third partner, this offers our citizens a better value for the dollar," said Terry Lodge, director of parks and recreation for the city of Trotwood.

Trotwood residents and Kleptz YMCA members can get a summer of swimming for the whole family for $106.50, $82.50 for an adult and $53.25 for senior adults and individuals younger 18.

The membership is open to nonresidents and nonmembers at $266.25 for a family, $213 for adults and $105.50 for kids and seniors.

One concession regarding the concessions: The foods offered will remain kosher.

You won't be able to order a cheeseburger or pepperoni pizza because Jewish dietary laws forbid eating meat and dairy products in the same meal. Nor will you be able to purchase a bag of barbecued pork rinds.

"We want to be sensitive to this facility," said Jeff Jaehnen, executive director of the Kleptz YMCA.

"It's out of respect for the traditions," added Chuck Kardon, YMCA board member and past president of the board of directors for the JCC.

Kardon had heard about similar collaborative efforts between organizations in other cities and thought it would work here, too.

"None of us could have done this by ourselves," he said. "The Y was not looking to build an outdoor pool for many years."

"And it saved us money, too," Lodge said.

"It saved everybody money," Kardon said.