craigdailypress.com

The banquet room facility at the Shadow Mountain Clubhouse was exactly what Cherie Walker was looking for.

As the secretary and treasurer of the Craig Softball Association, Walker is organizing the May 2 meeting of 30 to 40 people, and the banquet room is a perfect fit.

"We have been coming here for some years now," Walker said. "We discuss rules and regulations for the upcoming season."

That's good news to American Legion Post 62 post commander Mel Shockley. The organization leases the clubhouse from the county and operates the facility.

One of Shockley's many jobs is to see that the new facility makes enough money to stay open.

"It's very important to us for this to succeed," Shockley said. "We're going to have to cut back on some things if people don't show up and take advantage of the facility."

People have told Shockley recently that the prices were too high for the building rental, so post members re-evaluated the situation.

"We have lowered most prices, and if you rent the banquet room, the kitchen is now included in the cost," Shockley said. "Post members also get a discount rate."

The swimming pool has not been as busy as Shockley would like. It costs a lot of money to heat and maintain the pool, and lifeguards are required for public swimming.

"It takes 14 people swimming to pay for the lifeguard," Shockley said. "We try to keep the pool at least 90 degrees for the elderly swimmers."

The county is paying for the first year of utility costs. In the meantime, legion members want to establish a client base for the future, and Shockley estimates that two-thirds of the utility costs are used keeping the pool open and heated.

Shockley is at the pool every morning at 7:15 a.m. adding chemicals to keep the pH levels correct. At about 8:30 a.m., swimmers begin arriving. On Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays, the senior swim runs from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Craig Middle School uses the pool weekdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. except on Thursdays, and Horizon Specialized Services swims from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The pool, along with the banquet room, can be rented for parties if it is reserved ahead of time. Rental includes the hot tub, a wet sauna and the weight room. The facility also includes an outdoor playground and basketball court, along with a volleyball court.

Shockley has seen a renewed interest in the American Legion in recent months. He said membership is up by 14 members since the legion took over the Shadow Mountain Clubhouse from the county.

Call Shockley at 824-3625 for information.