The Veterans Memorial pool in McClure became a reality through the efforts of the McClure Chamber of Commerce. In 1947, the subject of a swimming pool for West Beaver Township was presented to members of the Chamber of Commerce through the combined efforts of Royal Kline, Wilson Dodd and Joseph Dodd. Minutes of that meeting show an intense interest among the members for the project. At other meeti
ngs of the Chamber during 1947 and 1948 the swimming pool was discussed at great length. At first it was suggested that the pool be built behind the schoolhouse, the site was changed later, however. Wagner, then president of the Purity Water Company, agreed to provide the water free. The Dedication Ceremonies were held at the swimming pool located in what was known as Homewood section on the east end of town. The initial plunge into the pool by Boyd Dippery and Roy Swanger clad in the latest 1908 swimming suit styles. Just a few humorous happenings when the pool first opened, some fellows wanted to launch their canoes. They were allowed to do it this one time because there were no swimmers at the pool. One fellow got in the water with his soap and wash cloth and wanted to bathe. They informed him that he had to do that in the bathhouse and then swim. Another person went to the end of the diving board and jumped fully clothed into the water and he didn’t know how to swim. In 1948, a committee was appointed to delve into the possibilities of going ahead with the project and action was taken by the Chamber to proceed. The committee was composed of J. Wagner, and Woodrow Mattern. P. E. Marshall, W. Conner Jr., C. Ewing, W. K. Dodd, S. Good, R. M. Baker, R. w, Fisher. On February 25 of the same year action was taken to dedicate the pool to the veterans of all wars. Committee Accept New Pool Site: Land Granted as Gift (Jan 1949) – At a meeting of the swimming pool committee, held in the local school building on Tuesday evening, January 11, the committee unanimously agreed to accept the plot of ground offered by Clyde C. Wagner and the Purity Water Company for the location of a swimming pool. The section of land offered is ample in size and has on it a spring as a source of water supply for the pool. Royal Kline, chairman of the committee, was authorized to have a survey made of the plot and have the deed prepared for transfer. James Rager, a McClure Contractor, was awarded both bids and construction started in May of 1949. Financial help was greatly needed and through the efforts of W. Michael Weader, Paul Marshall, Royal Kline, Sherman Good, C. Wagner, Wilson Dodd and Marvin Spigelmyer, just to mention a few, a campaign was started to borrow money from local citizens willing to support the pool project. Promissory notes amounting to $8,300 were given to a dozen or more citizens from whom money was secured for the initial step. Through voluntary labor, advice, and donations the project got underway in 1949. and Mrs. Wagner donated the land for the pool. A bid for $4,890 by J. Rager and Calvin Myers was accepted. The pool committee met with the Community Chest on July 1, 1949 and the total expense for the pool at that time was $5,203.31. The pool was completed in 1950 and was duly designated “The Veterans Memorial pool”, in honor of veterans of all wars from the West Beaver Township area. That same year a plaque was received by the pool and erected there by the American Legion. Contributions from Beaver Springs and Beavertown helped construct the bath house.
