Underwood Pool to Survive to End of Season

Replacement valve worked Thursday and so will lifeguards and staff for the next nine days of the swimming year.

The replacement valve used to filter water in the Underwood Pool on Concord Avenue was installed by the town's Department of Public Works on Thursday morning and has been working successfully allowing the historic pool to be open for the remainder of the swimming season ending Sunday, Sept. 2, according to the town's Recreation Department. The failed piece of equipment located in the filter house caused the century-old pool to be closed from Monday, Aug. 20, until Thursday morning. The pool will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. You will need to show your individual or family membership tag or purchase a day pass - checks only - at the pool for $10 for adults or $5 for children. …

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Diving Back In? Town List Conditions for Return of Pool Tradition

Talks including DPW and Rec Department could lead way back for Underwood board.

After nearly a week of increasing public fall out from a decision to remove the diving board and halt diving at Belmont's century old Underwood Pool, talks are underway between town departments on the possible return of one of the town's long-standing recreational traditions. Belmont's Health Department Director Stefan Russakow held discussions with Department of Public Works Director Peter Castinino and the town's Recreation Department as of Wednesday, June 27, to begin acting on determining the feasibility of creating a "safer" Underwood Pool that could allow for the return of diving. "I have begun those discussions and that's where we stand," Russakow told Belmont Patch Wednesday, June 27. Russakow's department determined at its annual …

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Centennial Pool Party: Underwood Pool Turns 100

The country's oldest outdoor municipal swimming pool has been enjoyed by Belmont children for a century.

The stillness of the water Sunday afternoon belied the anticipated rush of families and children that will once again be a typical summer day at the town's Underwood Pool on Concord Avenue adjacent the Belmont Public Library. So without ceremony or fanfare, the nation's oldest outdoor community pool turned 100 on Sunday, June 17, in the exact location where it opened a century ago. The Underwood Pool's second century begins today, June 18 with a "pre-season" week and officially opens on June 25 to Sept. 2. You can obtain a season pass at the town's Recreation Department. Less than two months younger than Fenway Park, the sinking of the Titanic was still fresh on residents minds when the pool opened, it was a time when Belmont High School …

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Photo Gallery: A Winning Pod of Belmont Dolphins

Sponsored by Belmont Rec, the 150-member team completed its winter racing season.

Some call a group of dolphins a pod or a school. But when there are 150 of them, ranging in 7 to 17, and swim in pools around Boston, they are called the Belmont Dolphin Swim Team. The team, a swim program sponsored by the Belmont Recreation Department, can be found between October through March propelling through the Winter Suburban Swim League, a regional league that operates with the assistance of parent volunteers and part-time coaches. And it was a very successful year for this pod of Dolphins, having finished its season with seven wins and two losses.

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Last Chance: Last Day to File for Financial Aid for Summer Kids Recreation Classes

The Recreation Department is open until 4 p.m. this Friday.

Last Chance is a new feature that will provide you with upcoming deadlines that you may want to know about. Financial aid for the Recreation Department's Summer Classes and Sports Programs must be returned completed no later than Friday, April 13 by 4 pm. Aid applications are available at the Recreation Deptartment – the Homer Building 19 Moore St or online . Applications received after that date, as well as incomplete applications will not be accepted. Review the classes and costs in the program guide which is a pdf file on this webpage. The Recreation Department is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its phone number is 617-993-2760 Do you know about an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the comments below and we'll consider including it in…

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Irene Sinks Underwood Pool's Season

Storm damage, debris force Rec Dept's hand to close early community pool's 99th season.

Talk about a bad guest! Tropical Storm Irene visited Belmont's Underwood Pool Sunday, Aug. 28, and left it in such a mess that the 99-year-old community swimming hole is now closed for the rest of the season which was scheduled to end Wednesday. According to June Howell, Belmont's Recreation Program Supervisor, the oldest community pool in the US suffered damage when a large tree branch fell on the fence surrounding the pool and when limbs and other debris landing into the pool, located on Concord Avenue adjacent to the Belmont Public Library.  Howell said while the debris – leaves, branches, limbs, vegetation and other material – can be cleared quickly, the Recreation Department depends on Department of Public Works crews to perform the …

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From The Town Administrator’s Office

Plans Call for Rec Dept, COA to Share Programs

Move seen saving money, better serve public; a December Town Meeting on the radar.

The Town Administrator’s office is working with the Recreation Department and the Council on Aging on preliminary plans to see if both departments can begin share programs. "It’s quite a challenge to put the two together for joint services but the end result will be an increased variety of programs for the public and additional revenue for the town," said Town Administrator Tom Younger, Thursday, Aug. 4. “The Recreation Department is holding more programs at the Beech Street Center,” Younger said. “We are in the process of reviewing them and looking to the future for what can be shared with the Council on Aging.” Younger – who said the town will continue to keep the Recreation Department director's position vacant since the retirement of …

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Patch Picks

What are the Most Creative, Unusual Classes for Adults?

Let us know the answer in the comment section below.

Each week, Belmont Patch highlights editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more in our Thursday feature called Patch Picks. As many of us know, the summer is great time to take a class in town. Whether it’s through the Benton or Belmont libraries, the Belmont Media Center, the Council on Aging at the Beech Street Center or the Recreation Department, opportunities exist for adults to learn something new. We want to know, what are the most creative and/or unusual classes in town? Tell us if you’re taking a class currently, if you know someone who loves a class in the community or if you’ve heard of an interesting class that you’re thinking of joining. We want to …

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