Representatives of the Betsey Mills Club and the Peoples Bank Foundation at the Betsey Mills Club’s indoor pool. The Foundation provided a $25,000 donation to help with efforts to renovate and update the pool. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — The Betsey Mills Club is beginning a major overhaul of its heated indoor pool.

The Peoples Bank Foundation recently presented a check for $25,000 the club for the pool project.

The Betsey Mills Club has the oldest pool in the state of Ohio, dating back to it’s opening in 1927. With these major updates to the pool mechanics, pool shell, and locker rooms, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the project, local officials said.

“The Peoples Bank Foundation puts our community commitment into action by supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life where we live, work, and play,” said Kevin Eagan, Peoples Bank Foundation Vice President. “The Betsey Mills Club exemplifies this vision through their work, and we’re honored to partner with them in strengthening our community.”

The pool was in use this past summer, but has not been in use since then as the construction work has been underway on the $200,000 restoration project.

The Betsey Mills Club had already raised over $100,000. Other donors included Kiwanis of Marietta, Marietta Memorial Foundation, Marietta Community Foundation, Settler’s Bank, Morrison’s Heating and Cooling and a number of people from throughout the community.

The last major overhaul on the pool occurred in the 1970s, said Betsey Mills Club Director Kerry Jean Waddle.

They also got around $70,000 from the government to do locker room updates, she said.

Aspects of the project will include the commercial pool company, Buckeye Aquatics, replacing the filter and pump and adding a water chemistry controller and bulk storage tank.

Moran Construction, along with Aqua Pools and Concrete, has been reinforcing wall strength with concrete, regrouting the entire pool with white grout, sanding and cleaning the pool, and applying three coats of natural seal to the pool tile and grout. This ensures the durability of the pool shell.

Pioneer Pipe has installed 3-inch suction and return piping along the perimeter of the pool wall and replaced missing pool grates. They are also currently working on piping the pool outlet water to sanitation.

Precision Flooring has begun work in the locker room and hallways and are adding drainage in the locker rooms, along with new anti-slip flooring.

“They are currently doing the work,” Waddle said. “The pool will be fixed as those things are currently happening.

“It became an exciting update because we found out it was a really big need. Everything from the shell to the plumbing are all getting a major update for 2024.”

The work is expected to be done sometime in January. They are hoping to open in early 2025.

“We are excited to raise money for this important project,” Waddle said. “The pool is a staple in this community, and we want it to continue for years to come!

“We are so thankful to our donors! We can’t say thank you enough!”