Bellwood benefit: Student’s fundraiser aids pool
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A local summer hangout for kids and residents in the Bellwood area is the beneficiary of this weekend's Katy's Karnival fundraiser.
It's been about 30 years since the Bellwood-Antis Community Pool got a "face lift," said Antis Township Manager Doug Brown, adding that community support is welcome to keep the pool in operation.
Kaitlynn Crewse, now 11, came up with the idea last year to hold a carnival to help the Excelsior Fire Department raise funds for a new truck. That endeavor was successful, said her mom, Brittani McFarland.
"We did really well last year, a lot of people attended and the fire department was able to get their truck," McFarland said.
This year, the Bellwood-Antis Middle School student chose a new project -- the community pool.
"It was something important to Katy because that is where she goes with her friends often, and there was concern it might not open," she said.
Brown said Antis Township received a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for a feasibility study on the pool to see what needs to be done to update the facility.
"We are looking at a major repair or renovation," he said. "It's going to be pretty extensive because it is old."
Repairs and updates to the pool, estimated to be about 50 years old, will probably cost about $1 million, Brown said.
He and pool manager Heidi Soldner are thrilled that Crewse and the community are supporting the pool.
"When people put an effort to help the community, then what they are doing is good," Brown said.
Soldner said people in the community have been trying to find ways to help because the pool means a lot to them.
The pool is surrounded by a park and playground, Soldner said.
"It is nice to see how people care and how giving they are," she said.
Katy's Karnival will be held at the Hillside Community Church recreation center, 508 Cambria St., from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
There will be games and activities for children and adults, food trucks, a basket raffle, craft vendors and more.
Special events include Heaven Sent Bloodhounds and EMS on Friday and free concerts with Jonathan Zinn and Fender Ridge from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Christian Band Shallow from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.