SOCIAL RESPONSILITY:

Lorain and the Greater Cleveland Y team with the city of Lorain to open municipal pool

Elise Below Wren, 6, of Elyria, jumps into Lorain’s Central Park Pool and the waiting arms of her grandmother, Linda Wren, of Lorain. MORNING JOURNAL/RICHARD PAYERCHIN

(June 2010) The city of Lorain has three municipal pools, but didn't have enough money to open any of them this year.

Until, that is, a local bank and the Greater Cleveland YMCA stepped in with funding and staffing.

The Central Park Pool, the city's oldest, opened July 6 in the middle of a heat wave, after Lorain National Bank donated $13,000 for operations and the YMCA offered to staff and manage the facility.

The Greater CLeveland YMCA collaborates with many communities and agencies in northeast Ohio to offer services and programs, so partnering with the city of Lorain to open the pool was a natural, said Glenn Haley, chief executive officer and president.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with the city of Lorain to assist them in the opening of the Central Park swimming pool,” said Haley. “This is an opportunity to expand our community outreach efforts further into Lorain County where there is a clear and obvious need. This, is, in our opinion, another example of our mission in action.”

The Y is offering a full schedule of swim lessons at the pool as well. Classes are 30-minutes, and are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. A Saturday session is also offered. Cost is $36, and scholarships are available.

Daily gate admission to the pool is $3 for those 15 and under, and $5 for those 16 and over.

Lorain National Bank's donation will allow the pool to stay open for the season, until Aug. 25.

“As a local bank with a strong commitment to the communities we serve, Lorain National Bank is pleased to support the opening of the Central Park Pool, an important resource for the residents of Lorain,” said Daniel E. Klimas, president and chief executive officer of Lorain National Bank. “In these difficult economic times, it is important that private and public entities come together to continue to provide quality recreational activities for our fellow residents.”

City workers are “extremely grateful” for the bank’s willingness to help, Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko said.