In East Rochester, a hidden, cool jewel of a pool

Jordan Woodill and another lifeguard keep a watchful eye on a trio of swimmers on Saturday. (Harrison Thorp photo)

EAST ROCHESTER – June Daley and her granddaughter, 12-year-old Angel, like nothing more in the summer than visiting the East Rochester Pool for a refreshing dip in the pool’s crystal clear water.

“This is the best pool, we come here every day,” June Daley said on Saturday as she and Angel Daley swam and played in what is one of three public pools maintained by the city.

Lifeguard Jordan Woodill, 20, of Rochester, said the pool normally has 50-or-so visitors a day in the summer, but on this day, he fears vacation plans may have put a dint in the numbers. The Daleys and another child are the only swimmers, which didn’t seem to bother them a bit.

Woodill, who is going to be a junior at Plymouth State University, said the most they’ve had in the pool this summer at one time is about 100.

The East Rochester Pool was built in 2000 and is in outstanding shape. There are two other public pools in the city: the Hanson Pines Pool at Spaulding High and the Gonic Pool at Gonic Elementary. The East Rochester pool will likely close in mid-August, as many of the lifeguards will be heading back to college dorms.

They’re all free to the public.

“Anyone can come here,” Woodill said. “Even someone from Maine.”

The pool always has two lifeguards, so the Daleys on Saturday were in especially good hands.

“The people are really nice here,” June Daley said. “It’s a beautiful pool.”

                                                                                                               June and Angel Daley enjoying their afternoon                                                                                                                swim. (Jordan Woodill photo)